KEY POINTS
- PDP and APC supporters in Edo State intensify campaigns by offering financial grants and incentives.
- Political parties aim to sway undecided voters with last-minute outreach efforts.
- The upcoming election is expected to be closely contested, with both parties using creative tactics.
With the Edo State election fast approaching, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have intensified their campaign to woo the floating voters with promises of grants and other forms of incentives.
As the voting draws nearer, both the political parties are leaving no stone unturned to garner the much needed votes in what is likely to be a close fight.
In some of the areas in Edo State, PDP and APC supporters have been giving out money to the small business owners, youths and market women in order to woo them.
These grants, which can be of any amount, are a part of bigger grassroots campaigns that are designed to get people out to vote and ensure that the community is loyal right before the election.
Observers have observed that these last ditches strategies, though not novel, are becoming the order of the day in Nigeria’s electoral politics.
‘The use of financial incentives to reach out to the voters is another technique that the parties apply to sway the floating voters’, an analyst noted.
The aim is to cultivate the goodwill of the voters and make them turn out in large numbers as this is important especially in the closely fought contests.
Increased operations on both ends
Besides grants, both parties have used all the following measures to reach out to the voters. Both APC and PDP have been mobilizing people through political rallies, public debates, house to house campaigns among others.
These efforts are especially directed to Edo state’s rural areas since the voters’ decision is influenced by interpersonal relationships and social networks.
While the PDP sees this election as a chance to continue its control of the political power in Edo state, the APC wants to reclaim the state. Both sides have their favorites and their followers are employing all the means possible to influence the electorate.
In several communities, supporters of PDP have been involved in the distribution of relief items including food, clothes and educational materials.
APC, on the other hand, has targeted on funding small business enterprises with financial assistance in the form of grants for the youths and entrepreneurs.
These are steps that are taken with the aim of gaining the confidence of the voters and assure them that their concerns are being considered.
Tribune Online has reported that the grants and incentives have raised some concern as some people have asked whether such measures are genuine demonstration of the parties’ commitment to the development agenda or mere political gimmicks meant to capture the votes of the people.
However, the supporters of such measures state that these are very useful to give some relief to the affected communities and are part of their mission.
Tight race expected as polling date draws near
As the election is only few days away, both the PDP and the APC are fully aware of the fact that each vote is crucial. This has made the competition between the two parties to be stiff and both parties have been mobilizing their supporters and trying to convince the middle voters.
The parties and the incentives being offered are expected to increase the voter turnout as observed by the people.
There has been massive turnout of voters and active participation during political meetings in Edo State and most of the voters have vowed to exercise their franchise.
However, there is still a possibility that the election will be free from violence and rivalry as there are so many competitors.
Both the parties have been encouraged by community leaders and election monitors to ensure that they play the game to the rules and ensure that their supporters do not engage in any form of hooliganism.
The INEC has also informed the citizens that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the election process is credible.
A hopeful path forward
As the people of Edo are getting ready to vote, there is hope that this election will be a positive reference for the Nigerian democracy.
While the tactics employed by the PDP and APC are up for debate, the larger message is clear: the electorate in Edo State has a responsibility of determining the future of the state.
There has been a lot of effort from both sides to reach out to the electorate and whoever wins the election there is always hope that the winning party will do as they have promised during the campaigns.
To many of the voters, the real challenge will start after the election, when the real business of the government starts.
