OsunDecides: EFCC arrest party man engages in vote-buying
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an agent of All Progressives Congress (APC) suspected to be engaged in vote-buying.
The suspect, identified simply as Nurudeen, was caught with bags of cash allegedly used to pay for votes in Isale Osun, Osogbo.
An EFCC official said that the suspect was caught in the act.
“We caught him immediately when he handed over the money to someone at the polling unit”, the official said.
He said the suspect and an accomplice would be moved to Ilorin in Kwara.
#OsunDecides BREAKING: EFCC arrests APC official caught buying votes at AUD Primary School, Isale Osun#OsunDecides2022
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/Bqj7ogrxgp pic.twitter.com/HQ8U8WET2N— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 16, 2022
Meanwhile, As of noon, all the main candidates have voted at their respective polling units. Mr Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede; Mr Gboyega Oyetola voted in Iragbiji; while Mr Yusuf Lasun voted in Irepodun.
The electoral office, INEC, says 988,923 residents have collected their voting credentials and are ready to exercise their franchise from 8:00 a.m. when voting begins until 2:30 p.m. when ballot areas would be shut to introduce the counting phase.
Seventeen political parties are participating in the governorship election this year, but only incumbent Gboyega Oyetola of APC; main opposition Ademola Adeleke of PDP and Lasun Yusuf of Labour Party are seen as viable contenders for a dramatic showdown.
Mr Oyetola is seeking a second term of four years, which either Messrs Adeleke or Lasun could deny him.
In total, 15 political parties were cleared to contest the election across the state’s 30 local government areas. Voting and results will hold in 3,763 polling units and 332 registration area centres.