Some residents of Oyo State have sparked massive reactions online after they were seen openly declaring support for an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate during a political outreach, reportedly after receiving 1kg sachets of semovita.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows a group of people hailing the politician while holding the food items. The caption on the post read: “2027 election is settled.”
The development has triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many describing the gesture as a clear case of vote-buying and exploitation of poverty ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While some netizens argued that the small quantity of semovita given to the residents was an insult to their intelligence, others maintained that it was the reality of vote-buying in Nigeria’s political space, where basic food items are often used to secure votes.
One user wrote: “They just sold themselves for less than ₦4,000. My God.”
Another commented: “Na semo go protect them from bullet abi?”
This is not the first time such videos have surfaced in Oyo State and other parts of the country, as politicians intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Critics have continued to express concern over the growing use of food items and other inducements to influence voters, describing it as a dangerous trend that undermines democracy and exploits the poor.
As of the time of filing this report, it is unclear which APC candidate was involved in the outreach. The video has continued to generate debates online, with many insisting that the 2027 elections will be decided by those who can provide the most basic necessities to the people.
Watch the video below.
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