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 made the allegation while addressing police officers at Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, in Ekiti West Local Government Area during the election.
The ADC candidate said he had repeatedly alerted security operatives to the alleged distribution of money to voters before the situation escalated.
According to him, voting commenced peacefully at the polling unit until allegations emerged that a woman was distributing money to voters. He said he confronted the woman, who subsequently contacted her superior, after which the council chairman allegedly arrived at the scene and began abusing him.
Bejide further alleged that despite drawing the attention of a police officer to the alleged vote buying, no action was taken, a development he said marked the beginning of the crisis.
He claimed that the council chairman, whom he said was not from the polling unit, intervened in the matter alongside a presidential aide and some individuals he described as fake policemen in uniform.
The ADC candidate alleged that the presidential aide, identified as Makinde Olaoye, physically assaulted him and attacked his driver, who reportedly sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Bejide maintained that tension had persisted around the polling unit since morning, alleging that some individuals remained in the area after voting and were involved in distributing money to voters.
Responding to the allegations, the Commissioner of Police leading the patrol team said officers were focused on maintaining security and ensuring a peaceful voting process across the state.
He explained that election-related complaints could be formally submitted after the exercise, urging the ADC candidate to put any grievances in writing through the appropriate channels.
The police commissioner also assured Bejide that additional personnel would be deployed to the polling unit to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
He added that security agencies would continue to provide a conducive environment for all participants, stressing that every stakeholder must conduct themselves in accordance with the rules governing the election.