By Samuel Sunday
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, on Saturday expressed concern over the slow pace of voting at his polling unit, warning that delays could discourage voter participation.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Ward 3, Unit 6, Oluyede said only a few voters had been accredited and allowed to vote despite many residents waiting at the polling centre.
According to him, the slow pace raised questions about the efficiency of the electoral process. He noted that voters had spent over an hour at the polling unit while only a handful had successfully voted.
The PDP candidate said he expected a more seamless process and called on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to address any challenges responsible for the delay.
Oluyede, however, expressed confidence that his supporters would remain peaceful and orderly, stressing the need for all stakeholders to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
He also alleged the presence of a large number of security personnel around the polling area of the state’s Deputy Governor, claiming that the deployment could create concerns among voters.
The PDP candidate further alleged that some security vehicles were being used in the area and said he had documented the development, promising to present evidence at the appropriate time.
Despite his concerns, Oluyede urged voters to remain peaceful and continue participating in the election, describing the exercise as critical to the future of democracy in the state.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, alleged widespread vote buying and the assault of his driver at his polling unit during the election.
Bejide, who voted at Polling Unit 004, Ward 2, Oke Adura in Ilawe-Ekiti, accused members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of distributing money openly to influence voters.
Addressing journalists after voting, the ADC candidate claimed that several APC leaders, including local government officials, converged on his polling unit with large sums of money to induce voters.
He further alleged that his driver was attacked and injured while attempting to prevent him from being pushed during an altercation at the polling unit. Bejide said the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
He said he reported the incident to the police but expressed disappointment over what he described as an inadequate response from security personnel at the scene.
Bejide condemned the alleged distribution of money within the voting area, describing it as embarrassing and contrary to democratic principles.
However, an APC chieftain, Makinde Araoye, dismissed the allegations and described the election process across the state as peaceful and orderly.
Speaking with journalists, Araoye said INEC had improved its electoral technology, reducing the time voters spent on accreditation and voting compared to previous elections.
He said residents had made up their minds on who to vote for and expressed confidence that Governor Biodun Oyebanji would secure a second term based on his performance.
Reacting to allegations that he physically confronted Bejide at the polling unit, Araoye denied wrongdoing. He said he was carrying out routine visits to polling units within his ward to monitor the process.
According to him, an argument ensued after Bejide allegedly attempted to stop him from moving around the polling unit. Araoye insisted he had the right to monitor activities within his ward and acted only in self-defence.
As of press time, INEC, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had not officially responded to the allegations raised by the PDP and ADC governorship candidates.
