Violence Breaks Out at Ekiti Polling Unit Over Vote-Buying Accusations

A violent altercation disrupted voting at Unit 4, Ward 2 in Ilawe Ekiti during Saturday’s governorship election, leaving one person injured following a heated clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The confrontation began after accusations of vote-buying surfaced at the polling center. According to the ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who voted at the unit, the trouble started when opposition politicians allegedly attempted to introduce large sums of money into the area to influence voters.

One of the ADC supporters injured during mild fracas that occurred in Ilawe Ekiti

Bejide claimed that an individual carrying cash in a sack was intercepted by alert voters, prompting the arrival of a local council chairman. He further alleged that a senior APC official arrived nearby in a Toyota SUV with additional funds intended for distribution, which escalated the tension into a physical fight.

During the ensuing melee, an ADC supporter and aide sustained a severe head injury. The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.

In the wake of the disruption, security personnel and individuals involved in the altercation reportedly dispersed as journalists and media cameras approached the scene.

Despite the violence, the ADC candidate expressed satisfaction with the official electoral conduct, praising officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their diligence and professionalism in managing the voting process under challenging conditions.