Suspected party operatives allegedly offer N5,000 to voters as law enforcement turns blind eye in Nkpor

By Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

ONITSHA — Law enforcement officers at polling units in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, reportedly turned a blind eye as suspected operatives of a political party allegedly offered voters N5,000 each to secure their votes.

According to eyewitnesses, as voters arrived at the polling units, the suspected operatives would approach them, check their voter cards, and then escort them to secluded corners—often under staircases—where the cash was handed over. The operatives reportedly monitored the voters until they cast their ballots into the polling booths.

Chief Osita Chidoka casts vote

At Polling Unit 014 at St. Andrews Anglican Church Central School, Obosi Ward 1, former Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka and his younger brother, Hon. Obinna Chidoka, who represented Idemili North/South Constituency in the House of Representatives, cast their votes around 11:30 a.m. After voting, they praised the smooth conduct of the election and urged all eligible voters to participate.

Meanwhile, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, the traditional ruler, Igwe Augustine Emelobe, visited Units 011, 012, and 040 to monitor the exercise. He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing voting process. Among those accompanying him, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu (Ike Cubaba) confirmed he had voted earlier at Unit 018, while Dr. Obiora Obiabumuo, Managing Director of the Bureau of Statistics and Statistician-General of Anambra State, observed that the election was proceeding freely and fairly.

Despite these assurances, reports of alleged vote buying by operatives of the party have raised concerns about the integrity of the exercise in Nkpor, highlighting the need for closer monitoring by electoral and security authorities.

The post Suspected party operatives allegedly offer N5,000 to voters as law enforcement turns blind eye in Nkpor appeared first on Vanguard News.