Amid backlash, Osun school denies vote buying marred prefectship election

Treasure Trove Montessori School in Osun state has denied claims that vote buying marred its recently concluded prefectship election.

Jadel Ojokayode, a student of the school, had earlier attracted admiration on social media for his arresting speech.

He had contested the position of the head boy which he lost due to what the school described as his non-sociability.

Ojo-Kayode’s loss generated a wave of backlash on social media which caused a number of Nigerians to share their experiences.

A Facebook user had claimed his son lost a similar election to a less intelligent rival who gave snacks to the voters.

The user’s story — said to have happened in 2021 — appeared to have been misconstrued, causing backlash at Treasure Trove.

In a statement, the proprietress at Treasure Trove clarified the situation while denying insinuations of vote buying.

“A post has come to our notice concerning the outstanding performance of one of our pupils in the just concluded free and fair election which won the hearts of many across the world,” the primary school wrote.

“Kindly disregard the claim of vote-buying, as this is untrue.

“No parent/pupil brought any gift on or before the election, the outcome of the election was solely based on the votes of pupils, teachers, and parents of the contestants, and was absolutely free and fair.

“The unfortunate incident which brought about the misinformation happened earlier this year. The poster’s name is Eshiomomoh Ifoga, who happens to be the father of the victim.

“Our own pupil’s name is Jedidiah Ojo-Kayode (surname is Ojo-Kayode), and the incident did not happen in Osun state, let alone at Treasure Trove Montessori School.

“The campaign manifesto that went viral happened on December 6 contrary to the unfortunate one that happened ‘earlier this year’. We do not even allow snacks and fizzy drinks in the school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

“Snacks are not even allowed as gifts, not even in birthday packs in our School. It is totally forbidden and we definitely will not allow ‘vote buying’ not ever, not now as this is the 3rd time the annual election would come up.

“Kindly note the differences between these two incidents. And we hope the general public will stop affiliating Treasure Trove Montessori School to that very unfortunate incident.”