ADC candidate Dare Bejide alleges vote-buying, assault and clashes at Ekiti polling unit

Ekiti Poll: ADC candidate alleges vote buying, assault, intimidation as APC Chieftain denies claims

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the Ekiti State election, Dare Bejide, has alleged incidents of vote buying and assault of his driver at his polling unit during Saturday’s governorship poll. Bejide, who cast his vote at Polling Unit 004, Ward 2, Oke Adura, Ilawe-Ekiti, accused members of the All Progressives Congress, […] Ekiti Poll: ADC candidate alleges vote buying, assault, intimidation as APC Chieftain denies claims

17 hours ago

Ekiti 2026: One hospitalized as APC, ADC supporters clash over alleged vote buying

Tension erupted on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, reportedly clashed over allegations of vote buying. The confrontation, which disrupted the voting process briefly, reportedly left one ADC supporter injured, who was later rushed to […] Ekiti 2026: One hospitalized as APC, ADC supporters clash over alleged vote buying

17 hours ago

‘My driver was beaten’ — ADC guber candidate alleges assault, vote buying in Ekiti poll

 Dare Bejide, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the Ekiti governorship election, has alleged vote-buying and assault at his polling unit.   Bejide spoke while addressing police officers at his polling unit in Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, in Ekiti west LGA of the state.   The police team was on patrol as the vote progressed across the state on Saturday.   The ADC candidate said he had repeatedly alerted security operatives to the alleged distribution of money to voters before the situation escalated.   “I have been calling the police for the past two hours,” he said.   “There was a crisis here. I alerted the police officer here. I told her that they were distributing money, but she said she couldn’t go there. That was the beginning of the problem.”   The ADC candidate noted that voting had commenced peacefully in his polling unit until allegations emerged that a woman was distributing money to voters.   “We started on a very clean slate. I came here even before the officials. And there was no problem until there were allegations that this lady was distributing money,” he alleged.   “I confronted her. She called her boss. And the council chairman came here and started abusing me.”   Bejide claimed that the council chairman, whom he said was not from the polling unit, intervened in the matter, alongside a presidential aide, who allegedly came with individuals he described as “fake policemen in uniform”.   “It has been rancorous since morning here. I don’t believe people should hang around here after voting. They should go home. But they are distributing money from a certain arena,” Bejide claimed.   The ADC candidate further alleged that the presidential aide, whom he identified as Makinde Olaoye, physically assaulted him and attacked his driver.   “The SA to the president came here and pushed me. He beat my driver to stupor, full of blood. He is in the hospital now. Is it because he is SA to the president?” Bejide queried.   “He is not from this polling booth. His name is Makinde Olaoye. He came here to push me. I am as old as his father… just because of an election.”   "There were allegations that this lady was distributing money, and I confronted her. She called her boss. The council chairman came here and started abusing me."ADC Governorship Candidate in Ekiti State, Dare Bejide, says a vote-buying crisis at his polling unit led to… pic.twitter.com/5JQPOLJgo4— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 20, 2026  Responding, the police commissioner leading the patrol team said officers were focused on maintaining security and ensuring a peaceful voting process.   “We are on operational duty, and the assignment today is very critical. And that is why you see me as a commissioner of police within your ward and unit,” he said.   The commissioner said complaints arising from the election could be formally submitted after the exercise.   “We may not be able to entertain your complaints now. But if there are issues, you can come and either produce everything in writing or lay complaints,” he said.   He added that additional personnel would be deployed to the polling unit to prevent any breakdown of law and order.   “I am going to drop more manpower for you, so that they deal with any opposition or force of harm that may invade your unit. But for now, the area is calm, and we have already directed that those not voting should go home.   “The only thing I can do for you, as an institution, is to provide an enabling environment. Every player should play the game according to the rules,” the commissioner said.   The development follows an earlier allegation by Wole Oluyede, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who accused security operatives of suppressing voters and harassing party supporters in the ongoing election.   As of the time of filing this report, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have yet to react to the allegations.

18 hours ago

Ekiti 2026: One Injured as APC, ADC Supporters Clash Over Vote-Buying Allegations

Tensions flared during the ongoing governorship election in Ilawe Ekiti as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) clashed over allegations of vote buying.The incident occurred at Unit 4, Ward 2, where ADC candidate Dare Bejide cast his ballot. Bejide alleged that politicians attempted to distribute cash at the polling unit but were stopped. He further claimed that an APC chieftain arrived in a Toyota Jeep with a large sum of money intended for voters, sparking heated arguments that escalated into violence.One ADC supporter sustained a head injury during the fracas and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.Bejide insisted that his party intercepted attempts to share money, accusing APC members of trying to bribe voters. He said: “They brought money in a sack but we intercepted it. In a bid to defend themselves, they claimed ADC members were also distributing money, but they couldn’t name anyone.”Despite the disruption, Bejide commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the election, noting that officials remained diligent and order was restored quickly after the clash.The incident highlights ongoing concerns about vote-buying and electoral malpractice in Nigeria’s democratic process.

19 hours ago