- Money will influence outcome —Stakeholders; parties transferring N20,000, N10,000, N5000; violence, thuggery, hate speech take centre stage; politicians desert homes; competence, credibility will matter —Ex-lawmaker
By Dapo Akinrefon & Shina Abubakar
The die is cast. Tension in the polity is palpable. No fewer than 1.9 million registered voters, who collected their permanent voters cards, PVCs, will head to the ballot box to decide the winner of today’s governorship contest in Osun State.
The contest, expected to be a two-horse race between the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Mr Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is being heralded by violence.
The build up to the election also saw the various gladiators locked in exchange of brick bats and mudslinging. Now many political actors are scared and have abandoned their homes for hotels or secret locations to avoid being killed.
Tongues are already wagging, and the decisive question remains: Will manifesto and performance triumph over the powerful forces of stomach infrastructure?
Interestingly, financial inducement, food handouts, amid severe economic hardship are heavily influencing voter behavior. Across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State, the various contenders have adopted subtle ways of inducing or wooing voters.
While some have embarked on sharing branded bread and rice, others have devised means of doling out money to curry votes from the electorate.
In the past, the slogan for vote buying was ‘see and buy,’ but politicians have gone a step further to lure the electorate into voting for them on Election Day.
For instance, one of the leading candidates distributed branded loaves of bread directly to residents on the streets of Osogbo to secure grassroots engagement, during the campaigns.
Also, viral videos have surfaced showing political mobilisers distributing “election rice.”
In some videos, coordinators were seen handing out portions of rice and warning voters that spiritual consequences would follow if they collect the food and vote against the party.
Indeed, the shadow of vote-buying looms large over the election.
Prior the election, Saturday Vanguard gathered that some political parties had transferred funds ranging from N20,000, N10,000 and N5000 to induce voters.
Spate of violence
Asides from vote buying, the spate of violence experienced in the build up to the election by political actors raised some dust.
The trend of violence was most prevalent in Ijesaland, particularly, Ilesa, Ijebu-Ijesa and Esa-Oke.
It led to a substantial number of deaths.
Though, the clashes were cult- related, the political parties pointed accusing fingers at each other.
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While the APC alleged that over 30 of its members were killed, the Accord Party counter-claimed that 20 of its members were killed in Ijesaland.
In Osogbo, violent attacks on party members were reported during the campaigns.
Some APC members were attacked at the Owode area in Osogbo where one person was killed and several others injured.
In addition, two cult members were killed around Ota-Efun community at different times.
Accord Party members were reportedly killed in Ikire, while three others were injured.
The party disclosed that its officials were shot at Okinni in Egbedore local government area.
Politicians desert homes
As a result of the heightened violence, many political gladiators have deserted their homes over fear of being attacked.
Mr Olamide Tiamiyu, an Accord party chieftain and Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, said he has relocated his family house.
Also, a member of the APC media committee, Mr Kehinde Ayantunji, had moved out of his home with his family too.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that many other political gladiators, from respective parties, have abandoned their homes and checked into hotels.
The situation led to high demands in hotel accommodations as most of them were fully booked ahead.
Stakeholders in the state have, however, expressed worry that such disturbing trend has started taking roots in Nigeria’s politics.
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Vote buying, hate speech, violence may mar exercise —Yiaga Africa
An election observation group, Yiaga Africa, yesterday, expressed worry over the governorship election in Osun State, warning that vote-buying, hate speech, violence and thuggery, among others may mar the exercise.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, a member of the group, Dr Asmau Sani Maikudi, warned that “pre-election violence” may suppress participation on the election day.
Yiaga Africa said it was concerned by the escalation of incendiary rhetoric and hate speech attributed to political actors.
Yiaga Africa, while frowning against voters’ inducement, accused some politicians of distributing food items to woo voters.
Expressing concerns over the security situation in the state ahead of the election, it said: “While earlier security incidents were largely associated with political rivalry, campaign-related violence and conflicts within transport union structures, incidents documented in the weeks preceding the election indicate a troubling shift towards the direct disruption of electoral activities and contestation over strategic public spaces.
“The attack on a PVC collection centre in Odo-Otin LGA, politically linked violence in Osogbo LGA, and disputes over the control of motor parks have significantly heightened the security risks surrounding the election.
“Yiaga Africa is equally concerned by the escalation of incendiary rhetoric and hate speech attributed to political actors. Such rhetoric is particularly dangerous in an already tense and competitive electoral environment, as it can legitimize violence, deepen partisan hostility, and undermine public confidence in the process. These developments demand intelligence-led, coordinated and strictly impartial security deployment, with enhanced protection for electoral personnel, facilities, materials and voters.”
Yiaga Africa condemned “violent and inflammatory rhetoric, particularly by senior political figures, who bear a heightened responsibility to exercise restraint.”
On voters’ inducement, it said it remains a significant integrity risk.
Yiaga Africa said it “documented the distribution of money and gift items by political actors. Although some were presented as social interventions or charitable support, their timing and proximity to campaign activities raise serious concerns about voter inducement and undue influence.”
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Competence, credibility will determine winner — Ex-lawmaker
However, a chieftain of the APC in Osun State, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, holds a contrary view about financial inducement determining the winner of the election.
The former member of the Osun State House of Assembly stated that competence and credibility will play a more decisive role in who emerges winner of today’s election.
Oyintiloye noted that while material inducements might temporarily influence some voters, they would not ultimately determine their choices at the poll.
He said Osun people are intellectually sophisticated, politically conscious and highly educated, adding that they are increasingly looking beyond temporary material benefits and are more concerned about the dividends of democracy that will improve their lives, benefit their children and advance the development of the entire state.
According to him, the people desire sound healthcare delivery, quality education at all levels, good road networks, employment opportunities, economic empowerment and inclusive governance.
“These are issues that directly affect their…
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