NewStats: 3,259,277 , 8,169,719 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 03:56 PM 20y20

By Tosin Tope, Akure

As the Ondo State governorship election holds this Saturday, reports of politicians attempting to sway voters with food items and cash have surfaced.

Our correspondent observed that political parties are distributing staple goods, including rice, noodles, maize, and fertilisers, across local communities as part of last-minute attempts to sway voters across the states.

Some voters shared with Daily Trust how parties are employing these inducements to secure votes. In Ifedore LGA, Joseph Ayeni, a community leader, said a major party distributed rice and noodles to residents, framing it as a goodwill gesture from the candidate.

"They came to our community with packs of noodles and bags of rice, which they distributed from their bus, saying it was from the governorship candidate,” Ayeni recounted. “We shared the rice, while the women divided the noodles.”

It was also gathered that some political parties have also been distributing cash gifts in mobilising eligible voters to campaign groups whenever the residents converge to listen to candidates speak about their plans and programmes.

A farmer, requesting anonymity, said his area received maize, fertilisers, and even pesticides from another party.

"They gave out these items during their campaign, saying they couldn’t visit without bringing something for us,” he explained, adding that not all residents benefitted equally.

While these distributions gain momentum, election monitoring group Yiaga Africa has raised concerns over voter inducement.

Speaking in Akure, Safiya Bichi, Yiaga Africa’s Head of Knowledge, Management, and Learning, noted incidents of vote-buying across several local government areas, including Akure South, Ifedore, and Owo.

Ms. Bichi reported that party chieftains are coordinating with community leaders to disperse food items and cash, allegedly to influence voting outcomes.

She condemned the practice, noting that tensions are rising as parties accuse each other of vote manipulation. “This situation highlights the need for vigilance and peaceful conduct,” Ms. Bichi stated. She urged security agencies to take proactive steps to ensure a safe and fair election.

"Ensuring the safety of voters, election officials, and participants is crucial to maintaining electoral integrity. Preventive measures are essential to avert violence and ensure a peaceful election,” Ms. Bichi added.

https://dailytrust.com/ondo-politicians-woo-voters-with-cash-food/

Nawaa. I saw some party sharing bread in Akure

There's literally nothing a hungry woman will not do to survive. They'll collect the food and submit their voter's card.

The same cycle of weaponization of poverty. Nigerian politicians are really wicked.

Would they have wooed them with slaps?

I have long since the end of 2023 election stop asking Nigerians to vote right or wrong. All i know is whatever out come we all gonna face it. Everyone should have sense by now. But if at the state of the nation, we have some people who have been placed on 350k monthly salary by APC to defend them online by fighting their country men. All i do now is speak my mind and catch cruise one thing i know is money will finish. 350k can feed you for today, but it can never guarantee a future for your children.

Abeg who knows how much lp they distribute? I need to make up my mind

Ayedatiwa messed things up by not completing that Ijoka road stopped halfway due to Aketi's demise. The dust is truly tormenting residents around that axis. Maybe he doesn't want to continue with his oga's legacy

Damnnn niggar

We are far away from seeing the light in Nigeria

Politicians will always find ways to win voters to their side. States are always like that since they have minimal effect on our well being. But you see that federal level. Nothing must bring Tinubu back. We have seen it all. If he bring billions, we should collect and vote credible candidate. Tinubu is a calamity that must not be repeated twice.

What's the point of giving food when the election will be rigged

Who will beat Ekiti's record where they voted on credit ,tht was Epic......Ondo or Anambra?

This is what they've always wanted, make the people wretched then start giving them peanut to vote for them.... APC really do Nigerians this one

This has always been their plan: to impoverish the masses and then give them crumbs when it is time for elections

This has always been Tinubu's secret agenda - to impoverish Nigerians to a level where their votes can be bought with a cup of Garri.

Oriyin shewa buru niluyi. Politicians dey show you shege banza everyday,dey disrespect you yet una go still dey collect crumbs from them.what kind of toxic, trauma bond relationship is that?

Well they can as well collect the items makes no difference

Whoever is voted in will still be useless

3 cups of rice and 2000 and they will suffer for the next 8 years 🤒

Take it and die before 4years in office

Collect the food only to suffer intense hardship and hunger for the next 8yrs again.

This country can never be ok with this buying and selling of conscience every time.

Weaponize poverty and lure them with food and small cash....sure format.

Eat for max a week and suffer for four years. Our people sha

Stop deriding the great ancient people of Ondo. Ondo harbors evidence of the world's earliest records, proving the origin of human creation. Suppressed facts reveal the genesis of human existence, warranting further research funding. This can attract archaeological tourism from anthropological researchers worldwide. Why use this despicable news to tarnish one of the most important groups of the Yoruba civilization ? If you disagree then click 𝕏 to read article on Twitter or click 𝗙𝗕 to read article on Facebook.

helinues:
Would they have wooed them with slaps?

Hahaha hahaha see the mindset of a so-called educated person 😁😁😁😁
So your zombie eye no see anything wrong in weaponizing hunger for political gains 😁😁

tony0806:
There's literally nothing a hungry woman will not do to survive. They'll collect the food and submit their voter's card.

Some of u still don't get it, do u?
A voter who knows believes in and knows who he is going to vote will never change his or her mind, how u all think that a voter believes in someone yet their votes can be bought is baffling.
People whose votes can be bought are the people who put their votes on sale because they never intended it was going to anyone.

Normal na once Nigerian see palliative the tend to lose sense

Mindlog:
Weaponize poverty and lure them with food and small cash....sure format.

Any voter who believes in a candidate will never sell their votes, that's something u people should understand in the first place.

techbro1:
Eat for max a week and suffer for four years. Yoruba people sha

Guy rest with your boring tribal rants, this is a famous trend everywhere in the Country.

Nigeria is not ready yet.

helinues:
Would they have wooed them with slaps?

Always viewing things upside down like a bat.