Fresh evidence of widespread vote-buying has emerged in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, with several voters openly admitting to receiving cash inducements in exchange for votes, despite the presence of security agencies and anti-corruption officials monitoring the exercise.
SaharaReporters which visited at least five polling units in Aramoko Ekiti, the hometown of the mother of the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, gathered firsthand accounts from voters who confirmed being paid to support political parties in the election.
At least five voters interviewed separately by SaharaReporters admitted that they were offered and received N10,000 each to vote for the APC.
Some of the voters spoke openly about the payments, describing the practice as widespread across several polling centres in the community.
At Polling Unit 004, Chief Ologbodo’s House, Oke Uro, Aramoko II, SaharaReporters witnessed what appeared to be an organised vote-buying operation involving party agents.
During the visit, agents believed to be working for both the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) approached SaharaReporters, mistaking the reporter for a voter.
Without hesitation, the APC agent allegedly offered N10,000 in exchange for support for Governor Oyebanji and the ruling party, while the ADC representative reportedly offered N2,000 to secure a vote for the opposition party.
The offers were made openly within the vicinity of the polling unit, raising concerns about the effectiveness of measures put in place to curb electoral malpractice during the exercise.
SaharaReporters obtained video and audio recordings of some of the voters who admitted receiving money from political actors to influence their voting decisions.
In the recordings, the voters could be heard discussing the amounts allegedly paid and the parties responsible for the inducements.
The development comes only hours after officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed Governor Oyebanji’s polling unit in Ikogosi amid growing allegations of vote-buying across parts of the state.
As earlier reported by SaharaReporters, about 10 EFCC operatives arrived at Polling Unit 003, Foutage of Oyebanji Okelele, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area at approximately 9:05 a.m. on Saturday.
The anti-graft officials monitored activities around the polling centre shortly after voting commenced, although no immediate arrests were announced.
The presence of the EFCC followed repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations and anti-corruption agencies against vote-buying and voter inducement during the election.
Despite those warnings, findings by SaharaReporters indicate that the practice remains prevalent in some parts of the state, particularly in Aramoko Ekiti, where voters and party operatives appeared unafraid to discuss cash payments linked to the election.
The Ekiti governorship election is being conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas, with Governor Oyebanji seeking a second term in office against candidates of several opposition parties.
(SaharaReporters)
