The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says four party operatives were intercepted in Ogun with multiple credit cards intended to buy votes amid the governorship and state assembly elections.
The NDLEA, in a tweet on Saturday, said its chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd.), ordered the suspects to be handed over to the police.
“Operatives of @ndlea_nigeria on campaign duty stopped and searched, just intercepted four party agents with hundreds of cash credit cards, to buy votes in Ibara housing estate, Ogun state. Each card contains 10k and activates for cash with code.
“@MB Marwa directed that they be handed over to the police after proper documentation.”
JUST IN: Operatives @ndlea_nigeria on election duty stop and search, he just intercepted four party agents with hundreds of cash credit cards, to buy votes in a housing estate in Ibara, Ogun State. Each card contains 10k and activates for cash with code. pic.twitter.com/RksBvEOjSo
— NDLEA NIGERIA (@ndlea_nigeria) March 18, 2023
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with the approval of the Federal Government, has redesigned the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes – the three largest denominations – banning the use of the old notes to counter vote buying.
Given the prevalence of money for votes in Nigeria’s political space, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday urged voters to pocket money offered by politicians but vote their conscience.
“I am aware that there is no more money like before to make people vote like they used to. And if they take out the money now, the people should put it in their pockets and still vote their conscience,” he said in Daura after the vote.
–Channels
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