By Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa
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Nigeria’s electoral process witnessed a major paradigm shift over the menace of vote buying during the last Saturday’s polls.
The Hope investigation revealed that the expectations of both the supposed sellers and buyers of votes were dashed as the atmosphere around the polling units did not allow such business to thrive.
Our correspondents who monitored the voting exercise observed the hussle of buying and selling of votes which prevailed in past elections seemed to have fizzled out.
Though some party agents were noticed to make overtures to voters by demanding for their phone numbers with the intention of settling them later, such transactions, The Hope gathered did not materialise.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, Mr. Kolade Akinjo has lauded the Federal Government Naira swap policy which made vote buying impossible during last Saturday general elections.
Speaking with newsmen in Itebu-Kumi, Ilaje Local Government area, he commended voters for voting their conscience.
According to him, “this election was free and fair because voters trooped out massively and voted their conscience without any fear or monetization of votes.
“This election is a diversion from the normal setting where voters were induced with money to vote against their conscience.
“I hail the Federal Government Naira swap policy which has made it impossible for voters to sell their conscience but vote for their desired candidates and parties in the election.
“I think President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving a legacy behind which will further strengthen the electioneering process,” Akinjo said.
He, however, regretted that the policy brought a lot of hardship and inconveniences on Nigerian masses saying many have lost their lives in the process of implementing the policy.
He also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful poll.
Akinjo who was seeking a third term in the House of Representatives also commended voters for trooping out massively.
