By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
The candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr Wole Oluyede and that of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) on Saturday, alleged that there were cases of vote buying and compromise on the part of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and indiscriminate arrest of people.
Oluyede, a medical practitioner, said this after voting at Igele Arokun ward 3 unit 006 in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Goverment Area of Ekiti State.
Oluyede said what transpired during the polls in Ekiti further substantiated that Nigerians were not ready and ripe for democracy.
“I didn’t think there was an election with what I saw today, it was a total sham. Security, INEC and everybody worked against the people. It was like INEC was instructed to disrupt the election. They didn’t start election until 10am in my unit.
“The INEC officials told me they didn’t have a stamp. They wanted the people to get into chaotic and fracas to reduce the voting. Those unlawfully arrested today are my people.
“The chairman of the council was driving around and pointing to people to be arrested. Whatever the outcome of this election shows we are not ready for democracy.
“Those voters who were offered money were not given the chance to choose freely the right choice. The outcome doesn’t reflect the wish of the electorate.
While the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engineer Kemi Elebute-Halle who voted at Ikole at unit 8 ward 10 however, lamented vote inducement.
“In my polling unit, the APC gave ten thousand Naira, PDP five thousand Naira, while SDP three thousand Naira as vote inducement.
The whole world is watching. I urge our people to vote for credible candidates.
“I want to rely on the commitment of our people to democracy. Irrespective of vote buying, they would vote for their choice”.
