#EdoDecides2024: Vote Buying Difficult To Monitor, Stopped – Police

The Deputy Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba, has stated that managing vote buying is among the most challenging tasks due to the various methods used by those involved.

Naija News reports that despite being a severe violation of election rules, the practice of buying votes has become common among political groups during the electoral period in Nigeria.

Speaking on the Channels Television, just some hours into the governorship election in Edo State, Mba confessed that dealing with vote buying presents a significant challenge for law enforcement.

According to him, vote buying in most cases, is not done in public but even in the most secluded places.

He said, “Vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to actually police and manage, and I am saying this with every sense of honesty.

“The reason is simple: the bulk of vote buying and selling that takes place doesn’t take place in the glare of the public, in the glare of the media, or in the glare of the law enforcement agents. Sometimes, they take place in the bedrooms of citizens, and we don’t have the capacity to police every bedroom, every kitchen, every toilet and every balcony.

“But our pledge is that the ones that happen in the glare of the public, the ones our security network is able to detect and intercept, we will deal with them.”

But Mba insisted that voters cast their votes and return home, adding that only those accredited to move around would be allowed to do so.

“It is important for parents and everybody to know that if you are not accredited to carry out any of the functions related to the election, you should not be out on the street. Just go out there, perform your civic duties, cast your vote and return to your home,” Mba said.

Edo People Aren’t Dumb, They Don’t Need Wike To Know Whom To Vote For – Obaseki

Meanwhile, the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed confidence that his political fallout with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike will not hinder the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming governorship election on Saturday.

Wike, a key figure in Obaseki’s previous campaign against All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the 2020 election, has since distanced himself from Obaseki and announced that he will not support the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in this election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Obaseki addressed concerns about Wike’s position, asserting that the people of Edo are wise enough to make their own electoral decisions.

Obaseki stated, “He (Wike) came to get Edo people to vote for me, right? Wow! Edo people are not that dumb; they know who to vote for.

“They don’t require the services of an outsider to make their decisions. Edo people will make their decisions this time because they know what they want.”

The governor also reflected on his political journey, emphasizing that he does not regret falling out with political associates, including Oshiomhole and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

He suggested that some politicians may be dissatisfied with his governance approach, which prioritizes using state resources to address the needs of the people.

As the election approaches, Obaseki remains resolute in his belief that the PDP will secure victory, bolstered by the support of Edo residents who, he asserts, understand the issues at stake.