Ogun NNPP group buy voter IDs for N500

A political group associated with Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Ogun State election, has been accused of buying voter identification numbers (VINs) under the pretence of an empowerment programme.

On Friday, the Ajadi Independent Movement (AIM) hosted an event in Sabo Alagbomeji, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, purportedly to provide financial assistance to community members. Attendees received N500 each and were asked to submit their voter identification numbers and account details in return.

Sources present at the event confirmed that the group collected voter cards or VINs from attendees. One source reported, “They claimed to help the community financially. They collected account numbers and voter identification numbers by scanning voter cards and giving attendees N500 each. Is that normal?”

Oguntoyinbo is not the only Ogun politician connected to AIM. Imoleayo Shola Idowu, the movement’s convener, also ran under the NNPP in 2023, seeking to represent Abeokuta South Constituency in the National Assembly. Idowu has a history in politics, having previously contested for the Lagos East Senatorial District in 2020 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and for Kosofe Federal Constituency in 2018 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Idowu is identified as a significant figure in Oguntoyinbo’s political team. In February, the NNPP named Idowu as part of Oguntoyinbo’s entourage to Edo State, serving as the secretary of the party’s election committee during the Edo governorship election.

Despite his involvement in the AIM event, Oguntoyinbo has been vocal against electoral malpractices. He notably accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of vote-buying during the 2023 Ogun governorship election at his voting unit in Ofada Ward.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) states that the VIN provides access to full details of a cardholder and is crucial for verifying a person’s voting status. It also assists voters in locating their polling units.

FIJ reached out to Oguntoyinbo via e-mail, SMS, and WhatsApp on June 24, but as of press time, there has been no response. Similarly, messages sent to Idowu on Facebook remain unanswered.