The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to deploy its operatives across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State to monitor the August 15 governorship election and tackle vote buying.
The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Osun State, Yusuf Olatunji, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with journalists during a street rally organised by the commission in Osogbo to sensitise residents against electoral corruption.
The rally, which was aimed at discouraging vote trading ahead of the election, attracted corps members, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ICPC personnel and other stakeholders.
Participants moved from Igbona Market through Old Garage and Olaiya areas before terminating the procession at Alekuwodo Market, Osogbo.
During the exercise, speakers used major Nigerian languages to educate residents on the dangers of vote buying, while fliers containing information on the consequences of the practice were distributed to members of the public.
Addressing journalists after the rally, Olatunji said the campaign was part of the commission’s efforts to raise awareness about the illegality of buying and selling votes.
“We are out here to let the people of the state know that vote buying is a crime under Nigerian law. From the ICPC, we will not tolerate vote buying or selling, and anybody culpable will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The ICPC official disclosed that the commission had concluded arrangements to deploy personnel across all local government areas in the state to monitor the electoral process and prevent attempts to compromise voters.
“The Commission has made adequate arrangements to deploy our personnel to all the 30 local governments to monitor the election to ensure that vote buying is eradicated.
“We want to appeal to voters that they should not encourage vote buying. Do not allow anybody to deceive you with money. Anybody involved in such an act — both the giver and the receiver — is liable and will be punished,” Olatunji warned.
He urged voters to protect the integrity of the electoral process by rejecting all forms of electoral corruption, particularly vote buying and vote selling.
According to him, while exchanging votes for money may provide temporary financial relief, it causes long-term damage to democracy by turning leadership into a transaction rather than a public mandate.
“Vote buying and vote selling may appear to offer temporary financial relief, but they inflict lasting damage on our democracy. When votes become commodities, leadership becomes a transaction rather than a mandate,” he said.
Olatunji noted that the consequences of electoral corruption include poor governance, unfulfilled promises, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
He advised voters to consider the long-term impact of their electoral choices, stressing that money received during elections cannot compensate for the consequences of electing leaders who fail to deliver quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment opportunities and sustainable development.
The ICPC’s sensitisation campaign comes ahead of the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15.
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