Cash-for-votes: Voters smile home as party agents distribute money in Kogi

Party agents were seen Saturday offering financial inducement to voters to vote for their candidates in Lokoja in Saturday’s Kogi governorship poll.
The agents stationed themselves about 500 metres away from polling units, from where they gave money to voters to lure them to vote for their candidates.
The amount given to voters ranged from N3,000 to N5,000, depending on their personality or bargaining power.
A voter is expected to present his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as a precondition to collecting the money.
The agents distributing the cash had been moving from one polling booth to another, some beneficiaries told journalists.
However, they claimed they were not selling their votes by collecting the money, as they had already decided to vote for the candidates of their choice.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Gov Mbah approves establishment of Enugu’s emergency management agency
The government decried building on waterways, especially the Ekulu River.

States
Imo guber: Voter turnout lags as INEC officials, materials delay
Saturday’s governorship election in Imo took off in some parts of the state on a shaky note, with low voter turnout and an absence of election officials and materials.

Politics
Bayelsa: Voting begins in Sylva’s ward after three-hour delay
Voting in the ongoing governorship election has commenced after about three hours delay in Okpoama ward, Brass local council in Bayelsa.

Anti-Corruption
Cash-for-votes: Voters smile home as party agents distribute money in Kogi
Some beneficiaries claimed they were not selling their votes by collecting the money, as they had already decided to vote for the candidates of their choice.

Politics
Bayelsa: Gov Diri votes, commends INEC for seamless process
Mr Diri is seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He faces stiff opposition from a former governor and ex-petroleum minister, Timipre Sylva of APC.

States
Cross River governor, Otu, seeks N24 billion loan to clear pension arrears
He said gratuities were last paid in to retirees in the state in 2014.