Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A video that has gone viral across social media platforms has thrown the Osun State governorship election campaign into fresh controversy, capturing a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress distributing rice to residents while issuing spiritual threats against anyone who collects the food but dares to vote against the party. The woman, identified as Alhaja Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, was seen in the footage sharing bags of rice packed in transparent polythene bags bearing APC stickers, urging beneficiaries to support the party's governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 election.
The video, which surfaced on Monday, August 10, 2026, shows Ero-Arike addressing a crowd of residents who had gathered around a vehicle loaded with rice. In the footage, she tells the beneficiaries that the rice was provided by Alhaja Kafayat Gboyega Oyetola, wife of former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. "This rice was given to you by Alhaja Kafayat Gboyega Oyetola. She told me to give you one per person, but I'll give you two," she said. She then urged the beneficiaries to support the APC candidate at the polls: "Make sure to vote for Munirudeen Oyebamiji AMBO".
But it was her subsequent comments that have ignited widespread outrage. Ero-Arike went further by issuing what appeared to be spiritual threats against beneficiaries who might collect the food items but vote for another candidate. "Whoever collects this rice and doesn't vote, his children won't make it in life. Whoever collects our money and food and refuses to vote for us, his children won't succeed in life," she declared in the video. The comments have generated concerns over the alleged use of food items as an inducement for electoral support, particularly with the Osun governorship election only days away.
The video has sparked heated debate across social media platforms, with many Nigerians condemning the distribution as a clear case of vote-buying and voter coercion. Others expressed dismay at the economic desperation that makes such gestures effective. One user commented, "The poverty rate in Nigeria is alarming. See modern day slavery. I wept for Nigeria". Another wrote, "Imagine she dey even dey curse join on top 2k rice?". A third observer noted, "Hunger will be the bait to rig this election and it's sad to witness". Some, however, defended the gesture, arguing that the beneficiaries would at least have food to eat.
Under Nigeria's Electoral Act 2022, the giving or receiving of money, gifts or other valuable consideration to influence a voter's choice is prohibited and constitutes electoral malpractice. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and political opponents, who argue that such practices undermine the integrity of the electoral process and exploit the economic hardship facing ordinary Nigerians. The development comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State as the APC, the ruling Accord Party, the African Democratic Congress and other political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 election.
Ero-Arike is a controversial figure in Osun State who has previously made headlines over her confrontations with public figures. She recently called out the Ataoja of Osogbo over allegations that the monarch ordered attacks on her hawking vehicles. Her latest actions are likely to add to concerns surrounding campaign activities ahead of the election, with political parties and candidates expected to abide by electoral laws and ensure that voters are allowed to make their choices freely without coercion or inducement.
The APC has not officially commented on the video, but the incident has already become a major talking point in the final stretch of the campaign. As Osun State prepares for Saturday's governorship election, the controversy surrounding Ero-Arike's rice distribution and spiritual threats serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some political actors will go to secure votes. Whether the Electoral Act's provisions against vote-buying will be enforced remains to be seen, but for now, the video has added yet another layer of tension to an already fiercely contested election.
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