Dare Bejide, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has rejected the outcome of the Ekiti governorship election.
Bejide spoke on Sunday during an interview on Arise Television.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared Biodun Oyebanji, incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election after he secured victory in all 16 local government areas of the state.
‘I reject the result in its entirety’
Reacting to the outcome, Bejide described the election as fraudulent.
“My immediate reaction is to reject the result in its entirety,” he said.
“I consider it fraudulent, and it has no place in democracy.”
ADC candidate alleges widespread vote-buying
Furthermore, Bejide alleged that political parties induced voters with cash across the state.
According to him, the practice undermined the credibility of the election.
“My rejection is based on the following. Number one, there was massive buying of votes in my polling booths and everywhere in the state,” he said.
“The APC shifters brought enormous money to all the polling booths to share.”
He claimed the alleged vote-buying caused confusion in several polling units.
‘Security agents returned seized money’
Meanwhile, Bejide alleged that security operatives failed to act decisively against those involved in vote-buying.
According to him, security agents initially seized money from some individuals but later returned it.
“There were places where they seized the money from them, but it was returned to them thereafter after negotiating with the security agents,” he said.
“They seized money in Ilawe Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti, but after much pleading with the security agents, they returned the money.”
‘APC officials targeted my polling unit’
The ADC candidate also accused APC officials of disrupting activities at his polling unit.
He alleged that a local government vice-chairperson arrived with bags of cash shortly after he voted.
“Shortly after I voted, the vice chairman of the local government, a woman, came with two bags full of money,” he said.
“We challenged her.”
Bejide claimed the official later contacted the council chairman after being confronted.
“When she could not have her way, she had to call the chairman, who came to threaten me,” he alleged.
Claims heavy security presence created tension
In addition, Bejide alleged that some APC leaders arrived at the polling unit with a large number of police officers.
According to him, the development heightened tension in the area.
“Thereafter, Senator Adaramodu came there,” he said.
“He also came there with almost 50 policemen.”
The ADC candidate said the situation disrupted the voting process and left security personnel unable to address his complaints.
“It was a bad situation,” he said.
