ADO EKITI — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has raised serious allegations of voter intimidation and systematic delays in the ongoing gubernatorial election, warning that the process risks disenfranchising voters.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Osaguru Hall, Unit 6, Ward 3, in Ikere-Ekiti, an exasperated Oluyede described the voting pace as “unacceptable,” revealing that only five voters had been accredited more than 90 minutes after polling officially began.
“The process is actually useless. People have been here for about one and a half hours and only five people have voted in my polling unit. That’s what they do all the time, so I am suspecting that there is something wrong with the INEC process,” Oluyede declared.
The PDP flagbearer further alleged that security operatives deployed to the area were intimidating voters, claiming some were operating in unmarked, unofficial vehicles a practice he described as irregular and threatening.
In a pointed comparison, Oluyede noted the disparity in security deployment between his polling unit and where the deputy governor was voting.
“I feel very unfortunate that all I can get here is a handful of cameras, whereas down the road where the deputy governor votes, there is an army of policemen harassing people. You should go there and see the army of policemen that are harassing people. They are using false vehicles. I taped them; I have evidence of that, and I will show you when it is appropriate. This is nonsense,” he said.
Oluyede also expressed frustration over the absence of INEC’s RATech (Results Authentication Technology) official, whom he said had been summoned for over 45 minutes without response.
“You cannot disenfranchise these people. It is sad for democracy in Nigeria,” he added, vowing to present documented evidence of the alleged irregularities at an appropriate time.
As of press time, INEC officials had yet to respond to the allegations.
