A video circulating on social media days before the August 15 Osun State governorship election has sparked outrage and debate among Nigerians over alleged voter inducement.
In the footage, a woman dressed in All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign attire is seen allegedly distributing repackaged food items and cash to residents in a community in Osun State.
The woman is also purportedly heard warning recipients that they would be cursed if they accepted the food and money but failed to vote for the APC candidate in Saturday’s election.
The alleged warning has generated widespread reactions online, with many questioning whether the distribution was simply campaign support or an attempt to influence voters ahead of the poll.
The incident comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State, where political parties have exchanged allegations over vote-buying, intimidation and alleged oath-taking ahead of the election.
The video has also renewed concerns about the vulnerability of economically disadvantaged voters to pressure or inducement through the distribution of cash, food and other materials during election campaigns.
However, the circumstances surrounding the recording, the identity of the woman and whether the activity was officially authorised by the APC could not be independently verified from the video alone.
With voters set to elect a new governor on August 15, the development has raised fresh questions about campaign ethics, voter inducement, the freedom of voters to make independent choices and the integrity of the electoral process.