N10,000 Each Alleged vote-buying reported in Ekiti governorship election

By Paul Joseph

Fresh allegations of vote-buying have emerged during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, with several voters claiming they received cash of Ten Thousand Naira each from political parties in exchange for their votes.

According to SaharaReporters, its correspondents visited multiple polling units in Aramoko Ekiti, the hometown of the mother of incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji, where some voters admitted receiving money to support candidates in the election.

At least five voters interviewed separately alleged that they were each paid N10,000 to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The news outlet reported that the voters described the practice as widespread across several polling units in the community.

At Polling Unit 004, Chief Ologbodo’s House, Oke Uro, Aramoko II, SaharaReporters claimed it observed what appeared to be an organised vote-buying operation involving party agents.

The report further alleged that reporters were approached by individuals believed to be agents of both the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who mistook them for voters. According to the publication, the APC agent allegedly offered N10,000 in exchange for support for Governor Oyebanji, while the ADC representative allegedly offered N2,000 for a vote in favour of the opposition party.

SaharaReporters said it obtained video and audio recordings in which some voters allegedly discussed the amounts they received and identified the political parties involved.

The allegations come hours after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited Governor Oyebanji’s polling unit in Ikogosi following reports of vote-buying in parts of the state.

According to earlier reports, about 10 EFCC officials arrived at Polling Unit 003, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area shortly after voting commenced on Saturday to monitor activities around the polling centre. No arrests were announced during the visit.

The EFCC’s presence followed repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations and anti-corruption agencies against voter inducement and other forms of electoral malpractice.

Despite those warnings, SaharaReporters maintained that vote-buying remained prevalent in some parts of the state, particularly in Aramoko Ekiti, where voters and party operatives allegedly discussed cash inducements openly.

The Ekiti governorship election is being conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas, with Governor Oyebanji seeking a second term against candidates from several opposition parties.

Neither the APC nor the ADC had publicly responded to the specific allegations at the time of reporting. Likewise, no official findings or arrests relating to the alleged vote-buying had been announced by the relevant authorities.