Former lawmaker says many Osun voters collected money from the ruling party but still voted according to their conscience.

Former federal lawmaker, Dino Melaye, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) spent about N70 billion to secure votes in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

Melaye made the allegation on Monday in a post published on his official Facebook page while reflecting on the outcome of the election and its possible implications for the 2027 general elections.

According to the former lawmaker, the election demonstrated that financial inducement does not necessarily guarantee that voters will support the candidate or political party that gives them money.

Melaye claimed that the APC spent a huge amount of money in an attempt to influence the election but still secured 444,816 votes, alleging that the process was also affected by what he described as rigging.

He further suggested that some voters who accepted money from the ruling party ultimately voted according to their personal choices.

“Nigerians must learn from Osun election where APC spent a whopping N70 billion only to procure 444,816 votes plus rigging,” Melaye wrote.

Adeleke Wins Osun Governorship Election, Defeats Tinubu and APC, Not Oyebamiji – Osun Indigenes

https://dailyobserver.ng/adeleke-wins-osun-governorship-election-defeats-tinubu-and-apc-not-oyebamiji-osun-indigenes

“The implication is that more people collected APC money and voted for their conscience.

“2027, collect APC money and vote your conscience. APC till we meet again.”

Melaye's comments come as political parties and their supporters continue to analyse the Osun election and draw lessons ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His claim of N70 billion in alleged vote buying, however, was presented as an allegation and was not accompanied by evidence in the Facebook post.

The former lawmaker's remarks have also revived the broader debate over vote buying in Nigerian elections, with concerns that the practice could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and weaken voters' ability to make independent choices.

As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, Melaye urged Nigerians to learn from the Osun election, particularly on the influence of money and voter choice at the polls.