Ekiti Poll: Oyebanji Denies Vote-Buying Allegations, Urges Patience With INEC

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has denied allegations of vote buying in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

The governor spoke on Saturday after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, located opposite his family compound in Okelele, Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

The National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Comrade Yinka Folarin, had alleged that the group observed cases of vote buying in parts of the state.

Also, two voters at the governor’s polling unit reportedly claimed they received N5,000 each from individuals said to be associates of the governor before voting.

However, Oyebanji, while reacting to the allegation, said he was not aware of any vote-buying incident.

“Well, I have not heard about that,” the governor said.

He appealed to residents to remain calm and patient with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, noting that minor challenges could occur during the voting process.

“I want to appeal to our people to be patient with INEC. With all processes, there will be glitches. INEC has assured me, and I believe them, that all those glitches would be attended to,” he said.

Oyebanji added that INEC had assured him that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised.

“I just appealed to our people to exercise patience. They have told me nobody would be disenfranchised, that everybody that has come out would vote.

“But our people must also cooperate with INEC, encourage them and be patient,” he added.

On allegations of attacks on opposition members and attempts to prevent them from voting, the governor said such claims remained unproven.

“He who alleges must prove, so it is still in the realm of allegation,” he said.

Speaking on his earlier projection of securing at least 500,000 votes, Oyebanji expressed optimism that he would surpass the figure if the electoral process ran smoothly.

“If the processes work well and everybody votes, we should cross that line with what I’m seeing here today,” he said.

The governor also said his administration would continue the implementation of the state’s 30-year development plan.