Sergius Ogun, a former member of the House of Representatives from Esan North East/South East Federal Constituency in Edo State, has exposed how money and cards were used to sway lawmakers in the 2019 speakership election.
Ogun, who is a lawyer, businessman and politician, made this revelation in an interview with Arise News.
He said that it was a known fact that those who voted for Femi Gbajabiamila, the current speaker of the 9th National Assembly, were given a card and 10,000 dollars each.
He also said that the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), paid 5,000 dollars to some of their members who voted for them. Ogun was a PDP member then and he admitted that he was involved in raising money for the party.
Ogun explained that both parties distributed cards with numbers to their members to show proof of their votes. He said that this was done to confirm that they had collected the money and voted accordingly.
He expressed his disappointment at this practice and said that mature people would not do that.
He questioned the morality of giving money to lawmakers to influence their votes. He said that this was a form of corruption and a betrayal of the people’s trust.
He urged Nigerians to demand better governance and accountability from their elected representatives.
“Inducement plays a huge role. And it’s on record that those who voted for the then speaker of this 9th assembly were given a card, and when you vote, you’re supposed to snap that card, and ten thousand dollars were given to them. And I’m also aware that PDP then gave five thousand dollars to some of their members. We were in the PDP leadership then, and we were told to contribute money, which we did. I was involved. “
“There was a gentleman sitting by me who is still coming to the house, but he was a first timer, and he was asking me, “Why did PDP give five thousand dollars whereas the other guys gave ten thousand dollars?” and I asked him in the first class, “Should your party be giving you money to give you direction on how to vote?” So even though most of them will deny it, I’m aware that it happens. And the cards were available. They were given the plastic cards with numbers, so that’s to confirm that yes, for the money you have collected, you have voted. Like I said, mature people won’t do that.”
