Reports from parts of Ekiti State indicate widespread vote-buying and the distribution of incentives to voters during the ongoing governorship elections, according to observers from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Incidents Across Polling Units
At about 8:41 a.m., CJID observers reported that some party agents were seen distributing cabin biscuits and drinks to voters at Polling Unit 004, Ward/RA: Ifaki II 04, located at the Methodist Pilot Nursery/Primary School, Ilogbe, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area. The observers also witnessed two women taking down people’s names and directing them to a designated location. Some agents gave voters numbers.
Around 9:50 a.m., in Emure LGA at St Andrew’s Primary School, Ward 01, Odo Emure I, Polling Unit 001, observers witnessed voters writing their names after casting their votes for incentives.
At 9:58 a.m. in Ilejemeje LGA, Ilegemo Open Space, Ward 04, polling unit 05, an All Progressives Congress (APC) party agent collected the voters’ cards of some voters, documenting their details in a book.
At 10:03 a.m., in Ijero LGA, Temidere Bus Stop, Ward Ekamarun, polling unit 002, a woman was seen giving a voter money.
Broader Observations
The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room also observed incidents of vote-buying in some polling units. Voters were given tally slips at Ikole East, Ward 03, polling unit 14, at 9:32 a.m. Similarly, at 9:17 a.m., in Ado Ekiti LGA, Ward: Oke Ila, PU: 07, party agents issued tally slips to voters and directed them to a designated location outside the polling unit.
Electoral Context
There are 14 candidates in the off-cycle governorship race in Ekiti State. The incumbent, Biodun Oyebanji, is seeking a second term in office on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as his first-term mandate ends in October. However, the election may be a two-way contest between Mr Oyebanji and Oluwole Oluyede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
