Nigerian Senator, Oyewumi Admits Buying Votes During Last General Elections As APC Demands Arrest

Senator Olalere Oyewumi from Osun State, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Deputy Minority Senate Leader, has admitted to engaging in vote-buying during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. In a widely circulated video, he confessed to sending his aide with personal funds to buy votes, but his efforts were thwarted by strong opposition from supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).Vote-buying was rampant during the elections, undermining the credibility of the polls overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deployed officials to monitor polling units in response to these irregularities.In his native Yoruba language, Senator Oyewumi detailed his unsuccessful attempts to sway voters at the Onilu House polling unit. Despite his personal financial contributions aimed at influencing the election outcome, his efforts were rebuffed. He admitted to recruiting a political ally, Ayandosu, from the APC to join the PDP, citing frustrations with the former party’s lack of support for his ambitions.The revelation sparked immediate backlash from the APC leadership, including Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, who condemned Oyewumi’s confession as evidence of election manipulation that favored PDP candidates, including Governor Ademola Adeleke. Lawal called for Oyewumi’s removal from the Senate and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate his actions, arguing that such behavior should not be tolerated in a democratic society.In conclusion, Senator Oyewumi’s admission of vote-buying has ignited controversy over the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. The APC has seized upon his confession to allege widespread fraud in the Osun elections, questioning the legitimacy of PDP victories in the state. The incident underscores ongoing challenges with electoral transparency and accountability in Nigeria, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of electoral laws to uphold the integrity of democratic institutions.