Tension flared at Polling Unit 035 in Nyanya, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, after representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to bribe voters.
The situation escalated briefly when opposition agents protested what they described as efforts to financially influence individuals waiting in line to cast their ballots. The disturbance prompted operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to strengthen security presence at the polling station in order to prevent further breakdown of order.
An agent from one of the opposition parties, who requested anonymity, alleged that suspected APC intermediaries approached voters in the queue and offered them cash. According to the source, the individuals were distributing ₦1,000 to voters. The agent claimed that opposition representatives openly confronted the alleged inducement attempt, which led to a momentary disruption before calm was restored after the individuals left the area.
Similarly, an ADC agent criticised security personnel at the scene, accusing them of failing to respond swiftly to the alleged misconduct. The agent expressed frustration, alleging that cash was being handed out in the presence of security officials without intervention and insisting that such actions would not be tolerated.
The accusations triggered heated verbal exchanges among voters believed to be aligned with different political parties, temporarily disturbing the orderly queue. At one point, a concerned voter appealed to the protesting agents to de-escalate the situation, warning that continued disruption could lead to the cancellation of results from the polling unit.
Following the brief confrontation, normalcy returned and voting resumed under heightened surveillance by security operatives stationed at the location.
Economic activities in the vicinity were largely suspended due to the election, with most shops and businesses closed for the day. Essential services, including the Nyanya General Hospital, however, remained operational.
Allegations of vote buying have increasingly featured in Nigerian elections, drawing criticism from electoral observers, civil society groups, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). These stakeholders have repeatedly cautioned that financial inducement of voters undermines the credibility of elections and compromises the principle of free and fair democratic participation.
Vote buying typically involves distributing cash, food items, or other forms of material incentives either directly at polling units or through agents acting on behalf of political actors. The practice is often reported in closely contested elections, particularly at the local level or during off-cycle polls, where political contenders seek to secure advantage through direct financial incentives.