ADO EKITI, Ekiti State — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the Ekiti State election, Wole Oluyede, has officially rejected the outcome of the poll, citing widespread irregularities, vote buying, and intimidation of voters and party agents during the exercise.
Oluyede, who was defeated by incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), addressed journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, where he alleged that the election was marred by systematic manipulation that undermined the will of the people. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oyebanji the winner after he secured a landslide victory across all 16 local government areas, polling 319,224 votes against Oluyede’s 40,533 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Oluwadare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
The PDP candidate claimed that his agents were unable to properly monitor polling units in several local government areas due to intimidation and harassment by thugs and security operatives, which he said compromised the integrity of the process. He also alleged that the APC engaged in widespread vote buying, with voters being offered cash and other inducements in exchange for their votes.
Oluyede further accused INEC of failing to ensure a level playing field, noting that the commission did not adequately address complaints of irregularities raised by his party during the collation process. He argued that the outcome of the election did not reflect the true will of Ekiti voters and called on the commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“Ekiti people have been robbed of their mandate. The election was not free or fair. We will not accept this result,” Oluyede said. “We are exploring all lawful means to challenge this outcome and ensure that justice is served.”
The PDP candidate also criticised security agencies for their role in the election, alleging that some operatives were partisan and failed to protect voters from intimidation and harassment. He called on the federal government to investigate the conduct of security personnel during the poll.
In response, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, defended the conduct of the election, stating that the commission followed all established procedures and that the results reflected the will of the voters. He urged any aggrieved party to follow the legal process in challenging the outcome.
Governor Oyebanji, in his acceptance speech, called on his opponents to join hands with him in building the state, promising to continue his development agenda. The APC has dismissed the PDP’s allegations as baseless, describing them as a desperate attempt to discredit the election.
As Oluyede and the PDP contemplate their next steps, the Ekiti election has once again highlighted concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. For now, the PDP candidate has made it clear that he will not accept the result without a fight.
