Violence and Vote Buying Mar Ekiti Governorship Election

The governorship election in Ekiti State, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on a Saturday, was marred by violence, vote buying, and intimidation. A total of 1,059,360 registered voters were eligible, with 1,028,929 collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner, securing 319,224 votes against Wole Oluyede of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who received 40,543 votes. The election saw participation from 14 political parties, with reports of low voter turnout and several incidents of violence across 10 local government areas.

Allegations of vote buying were rampant, with cash inducements ranging from N5,000 to N20,000 being reported. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was present, yet incidents of voter intimidation and disenfranchisement persisted, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

Civil society organizations called for investigations into these violations, which threaten the credibility of Nigeria's democratic process.