Otunba Emmanuel Ajisafe Fayose, governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, has outrightly rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election conducted on November 6, 2025, in Ado-Ekiti. He described the exercise as fraudulent, alleging widespread irregularities.

Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose accused some party leaders of manipulating results in favour of Ambassador Dare Bejide, Prof. Olusola Eleka, and Barrister Femi Adegbite, contrary to the party’s electoral guidelines.

He alleged that votes were fabricated in some centres, while voting did not take place in others. In areas where polls were conducted, he claimed, the process was marred by violence and intimidation.

“Votes were manufactured for certain aspirants, and in several designated polling units, no elections actually took place. Where voting did occur, the process was characterized by violence and coercion,” Fayose stated.

He appealed to the national leadership of the ADC to nullify the declared results and recognize him as the authentic winner, insisting that the votes he received accurately reflected the will of party members at the polling centres.

“The total votes announced exceeded the number of accredited voters. I urge the national chairman and other party leaders to intervene immediately and declare the rightful winner,” he said, noting that the party’s Public Relations Officer, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogun, announced the results without authorization.

While reaffirming his loyalty to the party, Fayose appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as he pursues legal avenues to reclaim what he called his “stolen mandate.”

According to the released results, Ambassador Dare Bejide won with 15,466 votes, Prof. Olusola Eleka scored 12,003 votes, Barr. Femi Adegbite polled 9,141 votes, Fayose secured 2,865 votes, and Apostle Ayodele Adesua got 135 votes.

Supporting Fayose’s claims, his state agent, Comrade Akinleye Peter Oluomo, said the primary was “inconclusive,” alleging that agents of aspirants were prevented from signing result sheets and that figures released to the media were doctored in favour of Bejide and Eleka.