The recent governorship election in Ekiti State, overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was heavily compromised by reports of violence, voter intimidation, and widespread bribery. While the state possesses over one million registered voters across 16 local government areas, turnout varied significantly across the 177 wards.
Although 14 political parties contested the seat, the race centered on Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). INEC eventually declared Oyebanji the winner with 319,224 votes, followed by Oluyede with 40,543 and Bejide with 12,872.
The process was marred by significant disturbances, including a physical altercation at an Ilawe polling unit involving security details and Ambassador Bejide. Observers from the EU-SDGN noted 24 distinct violent incidents across 10 local government areas. Furthermore, vote-buying was rampant, with reports of agents paying voters between N5,000 and N20,000. Some agents even utilized a voucher-style system, providing numbers to voters to claim cash later, while also demanding that voters reveal their marked ballots.
Allegations surfaced regarding the distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to non-residents, prompting calls for investigation from groups like the Movement for Credible Elections. Isaac Fayose, a local businessman, famously dismissed the entire exercise as a calculated suppression of the electorate rather than a legitimate democratic process.
