FCT Council Election: Parties Accused Of Vote-Buying In Gwagwalada As Voter Admits Receiving ₦5000

The voter, who spoke openly at the polling unit, claimed that individuals linked to the PDP were distributing ₦2000 to voters in exchange for their support during the ongoing council election.

Tension trailed voting at Kutunku I Primary School in Kutunku Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after a voter alleged that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were offering cash inducements to sway voters.

The voter, who spoke openly at the polling unit, claimed that individuals linked to the PDP were distributing ₦2000 to voters in exchange for their support during the ongoing council election.

According to him, he personally received ₦5000 from a man he identified as Usman Nga’aha.

“I had no plan to do any election this year. But because of Usman Nga’aha and his people, they made me come here,” the voter said.

He added, “Usman Nga’aha gave me ₦5,000. If you vote for PDP, they will give you ₦2,000.”

When asked to clarify who gave him the money, he responded, “Usman Nga’aha. ₦5,000.”

Despite admitting to collecting the money, the voter insisted that his decision was not influenced by the cash. “I didn’t say I don’t need their money. I just like them. I just vote for them. I don’t need their money. I just vote. I get joy for them,” he said.

Vote-buying has remained a recurring issue in Nigerian elections, with civil society groups and observers repeatedly raising concerns about the monetisation of the electoral process, particularly at polling units in area council and local government elections.