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The Centre for Democracy and Development, a political think tank, expressed doubts on Saturday about the validity of the governorship election, citing allegations of vote-buying and open violence, and intimidation.
The organization claims that even though the Independent National Electoral Commission performed better in the area of logistics deployment resulting in the prompt arrival of electoral officials, it also notes that there were occasionally problems with the Bi-modal Voters Accreditation System's non-functionality.
In its preliminary statement on the gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections, the CDD brought up the problems, according to Idayat Hassan, its Executive Director.
According to information gathered by its 1,500 observers stationed across the nation, there were more instances of vote-buying during the governorship race than there were during the presidential election on February 25.
She claimed that all six geopolitical zones were affected by this fact.
Hassan stated, "Observers in all seven states observed an upsurge in reports of vote dealing in the North-West, mostly by political party agents. Together with money, additional commodities including food, wrappers, and "credit vouchers" were used, and those things were then redeemed after the results were in.
In Taraba, political party operatives did the same thing as they did in the North East: they snuck into the line, appeared to be voters, and took advantage of the opportunity to offer money in exchange for votes.
"In the South-East, there were reports of APGA and LP party agents luring voters in Anambra State with materials, phones, and other trinkets.
Party agents reportedly compiled a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state, and other states in the South-South reportedly wanted citizens to provide proof of their vote before getting paid.
This may be a result of the heated political atmosphere around governorship elections, the significance of local figures in state politics, and the Naira and petrol shortages.
The pro-democracy organization commented on the violent episodes, saying that they served as further evidence of the heightened political climate in which the votes were held.
Hassan claims that goons with political connections and agents of the party were involved in these violent crimes.
"The diminished presence of security officials has cut across various zones," she continued. Particularly when compared to the presidential election, observers across the states in the south-south, South West, and North West reported a substantially smaller security presence.
"As a result, there have been several altercations and clashes involving voters, party members, and officials. For instance, observers in Jigawa drew attention to similar problems between self-declared party members while others in Enugu observed confrontations between party representatives.
Accordingly, the think-tank recognized voter suppression as a crucial element affecting the conduct of elections.
The CDD also claimed that violence was utilized to obstruct the process.
According to reports, thugs invaded a voting location in Akwa Ibom's Ukanafun LGA and scared away voters. In addition, thugs interfered with the voting process in Obio Akpor LGA and Emelia LGA, both in Rivers State, she claimed.
Regarding the role that online rumors play, CDD highlighted how, especially in Lagos, a flurry of voter intimidation videos were extensively disseminated online as voters were making their way to the polls. The Chairperson of the CDD's Election Analytical Centre, Prof. Adele Jinadu, also spoke, noting that based on observational information, the voting participation varied from state to state.
According to him, voter turnout was generally greater in states where the incumbent was facing a serious challenge from his opponent.
In the south-south, Jinadu said, there was a pervasive feeling of despondency owing to the unfavorable outcome of the presidential election, which hampered turnout with voters saying that "there is no point" in going to the polls.
In addition, he stated that CDD observer data demonstrated that INEC officials across the southwest zone came on time and started the process promptly in more than 80% of observed polling units.
"Across the six geopolitical zones, this pattern is largely consistent. When voting started on average at 8:41am in Anambra State, 75% of polling places had INEC officers who arrived on time.
According to reports, INEC workers in Benue state even spent the night at the polling place to prevent being late, he added.
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