Violence broke out on Saturday at a polling station in Ilawe-Ekiti, specifically Unit 4, Ward 2, during the Ekiti gubernatorial election. The unrest stemmed from a confrontation between members of the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress regarding accusations of illegal cash handouts to voters.
The dispute caused a temporary pause in voting and resulted in an ADC supporter sustaining a head injury, requiring immediate medical care at a hospital. Dare Bejide, the ADC candidate who cast his ballot at the site, stated that the trouble began when his team attempted to stop the distribution of funds intended to influence the electorate.
Bejide asserted that an APC leader arrived at the location in a Toyota Jeep carrying money, which triggered a hostile exchange involving security personnel. He claimed that his assistant was attacked during the scramble. Despite the instability, Bejide praised the Independent National Electoral Commission staff for their initial management of the process. Following an increase in security presence, the situation stabilized enough for voting to resume, though the atmosphere remained tense.
