The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party allegedly spent more than N100 billion in various forms of mobilisation, logistics and inducements during the August 15 Osun State governorship election, according to a report by PUNCH.
The report, published by PUNCH, detailed how huge sums of money were allegedly deployed by the two major political contenders before and during the election.
According to the newspaper, the spending included payments to polling-unit agents, canvassers, security personnel, electoral officials and other party operatives, as well as alleged cash inducements to voters.
PUNCH reported that APC agents were allegedly paid N100,000 per polling unit, amounting to about N376.3 million across the state’s 3,763 polling units.
Accord was also reportedly alleged to have deployed a similar amount for its agents, putting the combined expenditure by the two parties on polling-unit agents at approximately N752.6 million.
The report further stated that APC allegedly paid N120,000 to ward collation officers across 332 wards, translating to about N39.84 million.
Security personnel were also reportedly paid various sums. According to the figures contained in the report, APC allegedly paid N100,000 per polling unit, Accord N80,000, while the Osun State Government was said to have paid an additional N50,000.
One of the biggest alleged expenditures was vote-buying. PUNCH reported an APC source as claiming that about N22.578 billion was earmarked for the purpose, based on an alleged template of N40,000 for targeted voters.
For Accord, the newspaper reported that the party allegedly allocated N20,000 each to an average of 150 targeted voters per polling unit, amounting to about N11.289 billion.
The parties were also said to have deployed thousands of canvassers. APC reportedly used 30 canvassers per polling unit at N10,000 each, resulting in an estimated N1.1289 billion, while a similar figure was attributed to Accord.
PUNCH further reported claims that APC spent about N1.1289 billion on electoral officers, based on an alleged payment of N300,000 per polling unit.
Beyond these expenditures, an APC source reportedly claimed that N36 billion was raised by governors, ministers, senators and other stakeholders to support the party’s campaign.
There were also conflicting claims about the total amount allegedly spent during the election.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose reportedly alleged that Accord spent at least N40 billion, while another claim put APC’s spending at more than N60 billion. A further allegation put APC’s total expenditure at about N110 billion.
However, the APC rejected the allegations, demanding evidence to substantiate claims that it spent such huge sums during the election.
Accord also denied some of the allegations made against it.
The PUNCH report noted that the alleged expenditure, if established, would be significantly above the N3 billion statutory spending limit for a governorship candidate under the Electoral Act 2026.
Reacting to the allegations, Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, reportedly said that if the huge spending is proven, it could constitute an electoral offence.
The allegations have therefore renewed concerns over the rising cost of elections in Nigeria, vote-buying and the enforcement of campaign finance regulations.
Credit: PUNCH
