Jake Epelle, founder of Taf Africa, says vote trading and vote buying are increasingly part of Nigeria’s democratic process as the country heads into the Osun State governorship election. Speaking on Arise Television, he argues that political leadership is being shaped more by money than by voter choice.
Epelle describes vote trading as a transaction with identifiable “buyers” and “sellers,” and he warns that the highest bidder may win at polling-unit level. He also alleges that security personnel often observe such conduct without stopping it, which he characterizes as concerning. Both outlets report his remarks as a critique of how financial inducements may influence electoral outcomes in Osun. While the coverage focuses on his concerns rather than presenting new evidence or specific incidents, it frames the comments as part of broader worries about election integrity ahead of the vote.
