Some party agents were arrested on Saturday by a detachment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at Buhari Primary School in the Nayinawa area of Gombe State for attempting to buy votes. A voter at polling unit 22, Pantami ward, who wished to remain anonymous, said they called the EFCC after police officers attached to the polling unit failed to stop the illegal activity. According to the source, “We called the EFCC’s contact when the police turned a blind eye. An APC agent was offering N2,000 for votes. We complained to the police, but they did nothing. Then an INEC staff gave us the EFCC contact, and they promised to arrive in 20 minutes.” About two party officials were taken to the EFCC’s zonal office for interrogation before being released.
Our correspondent observed a low voter turnout for the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, which led to many polling units finishing earlier than scheduled. Earlier in the day, after casting his ballot, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Muhammad Barde alleged widespread vote‑buying and selling. He urged residents to collect the money offered and vote according to their conscience, saying, “Our supporters should collect and vote for their conscience. They have suffered for three years and ten months. Vote‑buying of N200, N500 won’t sustain them for the next four years.” Barde expressed confidence in winning despite the alleged malpractice, stating, “We are confident of winning the election. We know there is massive vote‑buying by the APC government across the state. Their only recourse is to intimidate voters and cause mayhem at polling units. We are reporting to the enforcement agencies; we have the EFCC and we are ensuring we report.”
A voter in Garko ward, polling unit 109, identified as Baba Seyi, said he was offered N2,000 but would vote according to his conscience. He attributed voter apathy to the belief that INEC had subverted the will of the people: “Before thugs dispersed us from the polling unit, some offered N2,000, but I can’t imagine collecting money to vote for someone who will not perform. People stayed away because they are not sure their votes will count.” Another voter, Mustapha Dangurugu, confirmed that vote‑buying occurred across both major parties. He explained, “Whatever the outcome, it’s a product of vote‑buying. The winner simply spent more than the loser. In some places the PDP gave N5,000 per vote; in other polling units like Tudunwada, the APC offered N10,000 once you proved you voted for them.”
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