Oyo By-Election Rocked by Vote-Buying Allegations, ADC’s Akin-Alamu Raises Alarm

Speaking after casting his vote at Ward 11, Polling Unit 38, University of Ibadan, Akin-Alamu alleged that political actors were offering voters money and material incentives to influence their choices, undermining the integrity of the election. 

The by-election, necessitated by the death of the former representative, Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi, saw five candidates from 19 registered political parties, including the ADC, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), compete for the vacant seat. 

Ahead of the election, the candidates signed a peace accord at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Oyo State, pledging to ensure a violence-free and fair process. However, Akin-Alamu’s allegations cast a shadow over these commitments. 

According to Akin-Alamu, reports from various polling units indicated that voters were being offered cash and goods to sway their votes. 

“This is a direct attack on our democracy,” he stated, urging INEC and security agencies to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. 

He emphasized the need for transparency and fairness to reflect the true will of the people. 

The ADC candidate, who emerged unopposed in his party’s primary after his rival, Mrs. Olaide Aderinto, stepped down, has been vocal about his commitment to grassroots development and sponsoring a social welfare bill if elected. 

His campaign has also been bolstered by recent defections to the ADC, including PDP chieftain Abidikugu, which he claims strengthens the party’s chances in the constituency. 

Meanwhile, the by-election has exposed tensions within Oyo State’s political landscape. 

The APC faced internal challenges, with allegations of candidate imposition leading to the cancellation of its primary election by INEC and a wave of defections to the PDP in Oluyole Local Government. 

Governor Seyi Makinde, a PDP leader, has claimed that opposition parties, including the ADC and APC, cannot win elections in Oyo State, further intensifying the political rivalry. 

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Adeniran Rahmon Tella, had earlier assured stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible election, emphasizing the peace accord as a step toward ensuring voters could exercise their rights without fear or intimidation. 

However, Akin-Alamu’s allegations suggest challenges in achieving this goal. 

As results from the by-election are awaited, calls for investigations into the vote-buying claims are growing, with observers urging INEC and security agencies to act swiftly to preserve public trust in the electoral process. 

The outcome of this election and the response to these allegations could have significant implications for Oyo State’s political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.