Edo Election: CSOs Urge EFCC to Combat Vote Buying

The Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle vote buying and selling in the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

Speaking on Tuesday, EDOCSO urged the EFCC to prioritize this issue over focusing solely on internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo boys. The Coordinator-General, Omobude Agho, addressed journalists in Benin, emphasizing the importance of voting for the right leaders to reduce crime and improve governance in the country.

Agho stated, “We urge the EFCC to take up one of its core duties and focus on combating vote buyers and sellers during this election, as this is a form of national sabotage.”

He also called on security agencies to remain neutral during the election, ensuring that the people’s will prevails and that no political party uses them to manipulate the outcome.

Highlighting the importance of democracy in Edo, Omobude emphasized the civil society’s role in ensuring a transparent election process. He assured that EDOCSO, with its statewide network, will work to hold all stakeholders accountable and uphold the integrity of the election.

Additionally, Agho criticized the recent violence at Benin Airport, where a police officer was killed, urging the Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident. He also called on political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than mudslinging.