'Corps Members Take ₦50,000 To Alter Results' — Deji Adeleke Raises Fresh Election Rigging Alarm
By Abdulahi Musa
The President of Adeleke University, Ede, Dr. Deji Adeleke, has blamed election officials deployed to polling units, rather than the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for many of the irregularities that undermine Nigeria's electoral process.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, Adeleke argued that the integrity of elections is often compromised by ad hoc officials, particularly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who he alleged are induced to manipulate election results.
According to him, reports from various elections indicate that some corps members serving as polling officials receive as much as ₦50,000 to alter election results.
"They collect ₦50,000 to change results," Adeleke alleged, insisting that the problem lies with the individuals conducting elections at polling units rather than with INEC as an institution.
He stressed that while INEC has continued to improve its electoral processes and technology, the conduct of officials on election day remains a major challenge to free, fair and credible elections.
Adeleke also alleged that some security personnel deployed for elections aid electoral malpractice by failing to act against irregularities or by collaborating with political actors. He maintained that unless those directly involved in conducting elections are held accountable, Nigeria's electoral credibility will remain under threat.
The university president called for stricter monitoring of ad hoc election officials and stronger sanctions against anyone found guilty of manipulating election results.
His remarks come as debates over electoral reforms and the credibility of Nigeria's elections continue ahead of future polls, with stakeholders advocating greater transparency and accountability in the country's electoral system.
With due respect to Dr. Deji Adeleke, such a serious allegation should be supported with credible evidence rather than presented as a general statement.
ReplyDeleteThe overwhelming majority of NYSC members who serve as ad hoc election officials carry out their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and patriotism, often under difficult and risky conditions. It is unfair to paint the entire corps with one brush based on the alleged misconduct of a few individuals.
Where there is evidence of electoral malpractice involving any ad hoc official, such persons should be identified, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. However, making sweeping claims that corps members generally collect ₦50,000 to alter election results risks undermining public confidence in thousands of honest young Nigerians who faithfully discharge their national assignment.
Electoral integrity is a shared responsibility of INEC, security agencies, political parties, observers, and voters—not NYSC members alone. Public discourse on this sensitive issue should therefore be guided by facts, fairness, and verifiable evidence.