The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to deploy its personnel across all 30 local government areas of Osun State to monitor the August 15 governorship election and curb vote-buying.
The announcement was made by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Osun State, Yusuf Olatunji, during an anti-vote-buying sensitisation rally held in Osogbo on Thursday.
The awareness campaign, attended by officials of the ICPC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), took place across major parts of Osogbo, including Igbona Market, Old Garage, Olaiya and Alekuwodo Market. During the exercise, officials distributed educational materials and enlightened residents in English and major Nigerian languages on the legal consequences of electoral corruption.
Speaking after the rally, Olatunji warned that the commission would not tolerate vote-buying or vote-selling during the election, stressing that anyone found violating electoral laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
He disclosed that adequate arrangements had been made to deploy ICPC personnel to every local government area in the state to monitor the conduct of the election and ensure compliance with the law.
The commissioner also cautioned voters against accepting financial inducements from politicians, emphasising that both those offering money and those receiving it are liable to prosecution under Nigerian law.
According to him, selling votes for temporary financial gain undermines democracy and often results in poor governance, weak public institutions, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment and insecurity.
He urged residents of Osun State to protect the integrity of the electoral process by rejecting all forms of vote trading and reporting suspected cases of electoral corruption to the appropriate authorities.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to working with INEC and other security agencies to promote a free, fair and credible governorship election across the state.
