Tension flared on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2 in Ilawe-Ekiti during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) clashed over alleged vote buying
The confrontation briefly disrupted voting and left an ADC supporter injured. The victim reportedly sustained a head injury during the chaos and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who cast his vote at the polling unit, accused political opponents of attempting to influence voters through cash inducements.
According to Bejide, the crisis began after money allegedly meant for distribution to voters was brought into the area, prompting his supporters to intervene.
He further alleged that an APC chieftain arrived at the polling centre in a Toyota Jeep carrying cash intended for voters, an action he said sparked the altercation.
Bejide claimed the situation escalated when attempts were made to stop the alleged distribution, leading to a heated confrontation involving party supporters and security personnel.
“One of my aides was att.acked by security men brought in by them, and he has been taken to the hospital,” he alleged.
The ADC candidate said the alleged presence of cash at the polling unit was reported to security agencies, adding that the development caused panic and unrest in the area.
Despite the incident, Bejide praised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their professionalism, noting that the election process had been peaceful before the violence erupted.
“The electoral personnel have been very diligent, and everything was going on very well before the pandemonium started,” he said.
He added that calm had since been restored after additional security operatives were deployed, allowing voting to continue under heavy security, although tension remained high in the area.
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