The protest was posted on Twitter with the caption, “Ikorodu women protest unpaid ‘funds’ after voting Apc in the last election.” One of the protesters lamented the lack of good leadership in Ikorodu and warned that they would boycott the upcoming governorship election if their demands were not met.
“We don’t have good leaders in Ikorodu. We will not vote in Ikorodu, the canvasser will not come out unless we see our money. If we don’t see our money, canvasser will not canvass. He will stay inside, we will not vote. That is it, we must see our money.”
The protesters are demanding payment from canvassers who were hired by political parties to persuade voters to vote for their respective parties. They accuse the canvassers of collecting money from political parties on their behalf but failing to distribute the money to them after the election.
The protest comes just a week before the governorship election in Lagos State. It is unclear whether the protest will affect the outcome of the election, but it highlights the challenges facing the Nigerian electoral system.
The issue of vote-buying is a growing concern in Nigeria. Political parties often resort to buying votes to secure victory in elections, and voters are often willing to accept money in exchange for their vote. This practice undermines the integrity of the electoral process and reduces public trust in democracy.
The protest in Ikorodu underscores the need for electoral reforms that address the issue of vote-buying and ensure that elections are free and fair. The Nigerian government has taken some steps to address this issue, including the introduction of the biometric voter identification system and the use of smart card readers during elections.
However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of vote-buying, including poverty, lack of education, and a lack of political awareness. The government should also ensure that political parties are held accountable for their actions, and that voters are aware of their rights and responsibilities.