Ekiti Decides 2026: Oyibanji's Triumph Shadowed by Vote-Buying Scandal and Voter Protests

The Ekiti State governorship election concluded with a mixed response, marked by commendations for improved logistics and voter participation alongside troubling allegations of vote-buying and localized violence. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, expressed satisfaction with the election's conduct, highlighting the impressive voter turnout and the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) prompt deployment of electoral officials and materials. He described the election as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, pointing to early indications of a marked improvement in the country’s electoral process, particularly under the provisions of the amended Electoral Act.

Reports from across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State indicated a smooth and encouraging process, with Senator Bamidele noting timely arrival of electoral officials and election materials. He praised INEC's considerable improvement in logistics management and the high level of compliance from all stakeholders with electoral regulations. Similarly, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, commended the seamless and efficient accreditation and voting process, attributing it to significant improvements in election administration by INEC officials at his polling unit in Isan-Ekiti.

However, the smooth logistical operations were overshadowed by critical concerns raised by civil society organizations and opposition figures. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, noted a dramatic shift in efficiency compared to the state’s previous poll in 2022, with over 68% of polling stations open by 7:30 a.m., a significant increase from 27% four years prior. By mid-morning, accreditation and voting were successfully underway in 99% of monitored units. Despite this logistical success, Itodo warned that the day’s high voter turnout could not be taken at face value, as it might be “procured” rather than a willful decision of voters, due to “troubling” levels of vote-buying and scattered outbreaks of violence. Yiaga Africa verified localized violence in known hotspots, including Ikole, Oye, and Ilejemeje local government areas, urging electoral officials to uphold transparency during the final count.

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, openly alleged widespread vote-buying and intimidation of his supporters at his polling unit in Ilawe-Ekiti. He accused leaders and members of the ruling party of openly distributing money to voters and expressed disappointment over the inability of security personnel to act decisively when incidents were reported. Bejide claimed that APC chieftains created tension, that his driver was attacked and injured, and that he himself was shoved. He stressed that elections should be decided by voters' free will, not financial inducement, calling for thorough investigations into these incidents.

Further highlighting the issue of vote-buying, an incident occurred at Polling Unit 10, Ward B, Iyin-Ekiti, where some voters resisted and chased away operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC officials had arrived to monitor and curb vote-buying activities, but their presence was met with resistance from voters who questioned their deployment and insisted there was no evidence of such activities at the center.

In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) maintained confidence in the electoral process and their prospects. Senator Bamidele expressed optimism, citing strong voter enthusiasm and confidence in securing at least 500,000 votes, believing the election could rewrite Ekiti’s political history in terms of voter participation. Senator Ayo Arise also expressed confidence in an APC victory, noting the peaceful nature of the exercise despite average voter turnout at his unit. Senator Adaramodu vehemently denied allegations of vote-buying, calling them false and mischievous claims from unpopular opposition parties. He asserted that the APC never engages in such acts, relying instead on good governance to win electorate trust.

As vote collation continued, checks on INEC’s portal by Tribune Online indicated that results from 87.03% of the 2,445 polling units were available for public viewing, with the APC in a clear lead across the 16 local government areas. INEC had previously assured stakeholders of its commitment to transparency and accountability by uploading all polling unit results to the IReV portal.

Regarding electoral reforms, Senator Bamidele cautioned against premature judgments on potential shortcomings, stressing that a comprehensive assessment would only be possible after all elections and by-elections across the country were concluded. He stated that reports from observers and analyses of voting patterns would inform future legislative reviews of Nigeria’s electoral framework. However, the National Assembly has resolved not to introduce any further amendments to the Electoral Act before the 2027 general elections, aiming to ensure stability and avoid altering rules close to major polls. Bamidele likened lawmaking to human development, where laws must evolve but stressed the importance of predictability and consistency for the credibility of the democratic process.