ABUJA, NIGERIA — Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has claimed that many Nigerians collected money allegedly distributed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the just-concluded Osun State governorship election but ultimately voted according to their conscience.

Melaye made the claim in a post on his Facebook page on Monday while reacting to the outcome of the election, in which the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), secured 444,816 votes.

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The former federal lawmaker alleged, without providing evidence, that the APC spent ₦70 billion to secure the votes, in addition to what he described as rigging. He argued that the outcome demonstrated that financial inducements did not necessarily guarantee voters’ support.

Melaye wrote: “Nigerians must learn from Osun election where APC spent a whopping 70 billion naira only to procure 444,816 votes plus rigging.

“The implication is that more people collected APC money and voted for their conscience.

“2027, collect APC money and vote your conscience. APC till we meet again.”

His comments come amid continued political reactions to the Osun governorship election and renewed debates over vote buying, electoral integrity and the influence of campaign spending on voters.

Meanwhile, Melaye has also accused three former officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of allegedly contributing to the party’s internal crisis and facilitating its relationship with President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

Speaking on the Kaa Truths podcast, Melaye named former acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and former National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, alleging that the trio “sold” the opposition party to Tinubu.

The ADC chieftain further alleged that the three former officials worked towards handing over the PDP to the President before Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, organised what he described as the party’s “final funeral.”

The allegations are political claims by Melaye and were not independently substantiated in the information available.