Ekiti Guber: Massive vote-buying as voters receive N10,000, N2,000 from APC, ADC [Video]

Allegations of vote-buying on Saturday surfaced in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.

Several voters reportedly received cash inducements from political party agents in exchange for their votes.

According to findings from Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, some voters admitted receiving money from representatives of political parties participating in the election.

The voters alleged that agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, offered N10,000 each, while agents of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, reportedly offered N2,000 to secure their support.

At Polling Unit 004, Chief Ologbodo’s House, Oke Uro, Aramoko II, party agents were allegedly seen approaching prospective voters with cash offers.

Witnesses said the inducements were made openly within the vicinity of the polling unit despite the presence of election officials and security personnel.

Some voters interviewed during the exercise confirmed receiving money from political actors, describing the practice as widespread across several polling centres in the community.

The allegations emerged hours after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, visited Polling Unit 003, Foutage of Oyebanji Okelele, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, amid concerns over vote-buying during the election.

About 10 EFCC officials reportedly arrived at the polling unit shortly after voting commenced and monitored activities around the area. However, no arrests had been announced as of the time of filing this report.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations had earlier warned against voter inducement and other forms of electoral malpractice ahead of the election.

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