.Prosecute vote-buyers in 7 days or face legal action, SERAP tells INEC
.As President, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Akeredolu, Oyetola congratulate Oyebanji
OBIORA METU
with agency reports
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, after he was declared Governor-elect in Saturday’s Ekiti State Governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) had on Sunday morning declared results of the exercise in all the 16 local government areas of the state, with the APC candidate winning in 15 councils.
In his reaction, the President said the victory is well deserved considering Oyebanji’s contributions to the development of the State and the party, before his nomination as the standard bearer, urging him, however, to be magnanimous in victory in the interest of the people of Ekiti.
President Buhari also rejoiced with the APC national chairman, Abdulahi Adamu, and the National Working Committee for the victory, the first under the tenure of the newly elected executives of the party.
“This is a good beginning for you and your team. The APC is getting stronger and more united. The victory of our party in Ekiti is an indication of the confidence of Nigerians in the ability of our great party to deliver quality governance to all,” said the President.
He charged all APC members across and outside the country to see this as a good omen for the 2023 general elections and work assiduously to ensure the party’s victory, continuing the trend with Osun State next month July.
President Buhari also felicitated with the people of Ekiti State for the smooth conduct of the election, affirming that they are the real victors as they have been able to freely choose their leader for the next four years.
He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission and the law enforcement agencies for the preparations put in place, urging them to keep the momentum for upcoming elections according to a statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity).
Meanwhile, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to “gather information about reports of vote-buying, undue influence, intimidation, ballot box snatching, and other electoral offences by the three leading political parties in the just concluded Ekiti State governorship election.”
SERAP also urged INEC to “promptly and effectively prosecute those arrested, and bring to justice anyone who sponsored, aided and abetted them.”
In the letter dated 18 June 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Corruption of the ballot box intrudes on the freedom of Nigerian voters to make up their own minds. Vote buying and other forms of electoral corruption freeze out the less wealthy candidates and parties.”
SERAP said, “Wealthy candidates and their sponsors ought not to be allowed to profit from their crimes. We are concerned that impunity for vote buying and electoral bribery is widely prevalent in Nigeria, as perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.”
According to SERAP, “If voting is as important as INEC always claims it is, now is the time to end the buying of democracy by wealthy politicians and their sponsors.”
The letter, read in part: “Vote buying encourages poor governance and weakens citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions.
“When political candidates or their sponsors decide to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidates and sponsors will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.
“Vote buying is entirely an act of election malpractice connected with vested interest since an election can be said to be free and fair when it is devoid of vote buying, ballot snatching, and intimidation.
“Your commitment to these issues will demonstrate to the voters that INEC is ready, willing and able to combat vote buying and electoral bribery and reassure Nigerians that INEC will do everything within its mandates to ensure that the 2023 general elections are not tainted by corruption.
“Ending impunity for vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices would contribute to free and fair elections and show that INEC would not tolerate these illegal practices during the 2023 general elections.
“There are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units during the just concluded Ekiti governorship election. There are reports of bargaining prices for votes and payments made in uncompleted buildings and bags of foodstuff being shared after votes have been cast.
“Acting swiftly to address the brazen impunity and reports of vote-buying and electoral bribery and other electoral offences during the Ekiti state governorship election would also send a strong message to politicians that INEC under your watch would not tolerate such practices during the 2023 general elections.
“SERAP is concerned that the failure of INEC to rein in vote buying, electoral bribery and intimidation is illustrated by the fact that the body has not seriously addressed similar incidents in previous elections.
“Vote buying and electoral bribery is a threat to fair and representative elections. Vote buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence.
“By engaging in vote buying and electoral bribery in so blatant a fashion, the politicians involved and their sponsors have clearly influenced voters to vote for him, contrary to the Electoral Act, thus raising serious questions about the legitimacy and validity of the election.
“A corruption-free electoral process is essential for building public confidence in the electoral process, and the credibility and legitimacy of the 2023 elections.
“One of the people’s most sacred rights is the right to vote. INEC has a constitutional and statutory responsibility to ensure the effective exercise of the right of all eligible voters to participate in their own government in free and fair elections.”
“Preventing and combating vote buying and electoral bribery would advance the people’s right to vote and to participate in their own government, as well as bolster the ability of INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory mandates effectively and satisfactorily.
“Many years of allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices, as well as entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
“Prosecuting allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, ballot snatching, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices during the Ekiti state governorship election would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the country’s international human rights anti-corruption obligations.
“Prosecuting those that have been arrested and identifying and arresting those who sponsored, aided and abetted them and bringing them to justice would act as a deterrent against vote buying and electoral bribery and other electoral malpractices and offences in the February 2023 general elections.
“Agents of the three dominant political parties in the state, namely All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), were reportedly involved in buying votes across the state. According to reports, agents of the three parties in Ward 007, PU 001, Ado LGA offered voters as high as N10,000 in exchange for their votes.
“There are also several reports of ballot box snatching including in polling units with codes 13/05/06/005 and 007 in Ilawe Ward IV, near St. Patrick’s School. In several voting units, party agents for the APC, PDP and SDP reportedly clustered around the voting cubicle and saw how voters marked their ballot papers.
“Vote buying and electoral bribery, intimidation of voters, ballot snatching and other electoral malpractices and offences undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
“Section 145(2) of the Electoral Act provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’ Under section 2(b), the commission ‘shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Sanwo-Olu congratulates Oyebanji, Fayemi
Similarly, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on his resounding victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
Sanwo-Olu described Oyebanji’s landslide victory as a testament to the good work the All Progressives Congress-led government has done in Ekiti state as well as the sterling qualities of her candidates. He also congratulated the leadership of the party at the federal and state levels on the latest feat.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement, issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said he did not doubt the APC’s victory because Ekiti people are progressives and would always vote for the party.
The Governor added that the progressive nature of the Ekiti people as well as their culture of reciprocating good gestures also played a major role in Oyebanji’s victory.
He said: “I congratulate Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for emerging victorious in yesterday’s gubernatorial election and returned as duly elected next governor of Ekiti State.
“I must note that our party, the All Progressives Congress and its government under the able leadership of Governor Kayode Fayemi has delivered beyond the expectations of the Ekiti people. I, therefore, believe it was only natural for the citizens to reciprocate by voting for our party.
“Our confidence was further buoyed by the quality of candidates presented for the governorship poll. The combination of Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Christiana Afuye is what Ekiti needs to continue with the great work started by the outgoing governor.
“I once again congratulate the winners for running a good race and emerging victorious. I also congratulate my brother-governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who has set a winning template for the party, with good governance over the years.
“Finally and more importantly, my hearty felicitations go to the people of Ekiti State for voting wisely for APC, the party that will continue to deliver the good for all the citizens.”
Sanwo-Olu also applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security operatives for the hitch-free election.
Abiodun hails Oyebamji
On his part, Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the winner of the just concluded 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyenbamji, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Abiodun in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Sunday, lauded the people of Ekiti State for electing to continue to witness good governance in the state courtesy of the ruling party.
He noted that the victory at the poll by the governor-elect clearly indicated that the outgoing governor, Kayode Fayemi, had performed in office to the admiration of the Ekiti people.
Abiodun, while saying that the people have spoken through the ballot, commended the INEC for doing a Yeoman’s job in conducting a free and fair governorship election.
The governor equally lauded the security agencies for ensuring a violence-free poll despite the pre-election fear of chaos.
He, however, urged the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory and rally support of his opponents in the election.
Abiodun also thumbed up Governor Fayemi for espousing people-oriented programmes and policies, which according to him, endeared the people of Ekiti more to the APC.
Similarly, reactions have started trailing a trending online video where members of National Union of Teachers in Ekiti State were being induced by officials of All Progressive Congress with N3,000, (three thousand naira) to vote in the state’s gubernatorial election that held on Saturday.
The video that was shared by the Managing Editor of ICRI, Amzat Ajibola has teachers who were donned in the campaign vest and caps of the APC flagbearer, Biodun Oyebanji at the pavilion near the government house, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The video also showed some of the teachers dressed in orange colour tee shirts emblazoned with ‘EKSU Teacher Vanguard’, others wore blue and white tee shirts with the inscription ‘Biodun Oyebanji for Governor’, while some others wore face caps written “Ekiti Teachers for BAO” danced to local music and patiently waited for the NUT official who brought money to the pavilion to share with them.
Reacting to the viral video, an Ondo State-based legal practitioner, Morakinyo Ogele, has advised electorates to shun the act of selling their votes to politicians on the Election Day.
He alleged that the ruling APC was planning to be involved in the act of vote buying and called on the people of the state to reject the act.
Morakinyo said the APC had failed the people of the state in the last four years and didn’t deserve to remain in power.
The lawyer made the allegation in an open letter to the Ekiti people. The letter was made available to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Monday. It was titled ‘Letter to Ekiti People’.
Meanwhile, Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA Africa), a non-profit civic hub of change makers committed to the promotion of democratic governance, human rights and civic engagement has said it would expose any manipulation of results in the forthcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
Akeredolu congratulates Oyebanji
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has saluted the good people of Ekiti State over the smooth conduct of yesterday’s governorship election.
Akeredolu particularly congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winner of the election, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The Governor described the resounding victory as an unequivocal testament to the acceptability of the APC and sterling performance of the incumbent, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, in the state.
“I congratulate my brother, Biodun Oyebanji Abayomi on this victory. I rejoice with our great party, the APC. I salute the people of Ekiti for their resilience and peaceful conduct.
“This victory is for the people of Ekiti State and all lovers of democracy across the country. It is a mark of renewed commitment of the people to our party, the APC.
“No doubt, BAO’s vast experience in public service is an asset that would be deployed for the good of the people of Ekiti State. As a former Commissioner, Chief of Staff and later Secretary to the State Government, the governor-elect is well equipped to take the state to the next level
“I have no doubt that BAO will consolidate on the gains of the outgoing administration of Governor Fayemi and leverage on the continuity of our party in government to further deliver dividends of good governance to the people.
“This is our first win since the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Presidential candidate of our party. This election is, however, symbolic as it shows the preparedness and commitment of our people to vote enmass for the APC in the next year’s general election.” The Governor said.
Akeredolu also saluted the security agencies and the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting credible election in Ekiti notwithstanding pockets of hiccups.
He hailed the people of the state for voting continuity, while urging them to do more for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next year’s presidential election.
Oyetola congratulates Oyebanji, APC leaders
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has congratulated the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, on his victory at Saturday’s governorship poll in the State.
Oyetola, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, also felicitated the incumbent governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu; leaders and supporters of the party on what he described as well-deserved electoral victory.
He equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leader and presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and contributions to the triumph of the party and its candidate in the just concluded election.
The governor also rejoiced with the people of Ekiti State for keeping faith with the APC by voting en masse for the party, saying that the outcome of the exercise was a true reflection of their wishes and aspirations.
Oyetola said he was confident that the governor-elect would reciprocate the Ekiti electorate gesture by delivering quality governance and numerous dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
“On behalf of my family, government and the good people of Osun, I congratulate the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, on his victory at the governorship election held yesterday.
“I also congratulate Governor Kayode Fayemi, the National chairman of our great party, the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, leaders and supporters of the party on this well-deserved and sweet electoral victory.
“With his antecedents and varied leadership experiences, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is no doubt a worthy successor to Governor Fayemi. I am confident that he will not disappoint the people of Ekiti,” Oyetola said.
The governor also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for enhancing the credibility of the electoral process, the security agencies, political parties, and their candidates, and the people of Ekiti for the peaceful and successful conduct of the election.
