… says outcome not reflection of voters’ aspirations
The campaign organisation of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has rejected the outcome of the poll announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a result that does not reflect the true aspirations and democratic will of the people of the state.
INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, while declaring the results around 3 am on Sunday, said Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 319,224 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, who came a distant second with 40,543 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, scored 12,872 votes to finish third in the election contested by 13 political parties.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Communications of the Oluyede Campaign Organisation, Chief Sanya Atofarati, the camp faulted the conduct of the election, alleging that the process was marred by widespread irregularities that undermined its credibility and integrity.
According to the organisation, reports from its agents, supporters and voters across the state indicated incidents of vote buying, voter intimidation, harassment of opposition supporters and other electoral malpractices.
The statement added that these acts compromised the sanctity of the electoral process and cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the results declared by INEC.
The campaign further expressed concern over the role played by some security operatives during the election, alleging that rather than maintaining neutrality and ensuring a level playing field for all contestants, certain security personnel acted in ways that eroded public confidence in the process.
The statement alleged that the actions and inactions of some security agencies contributed to what it described as an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and unfairness during the exercise.
“The declared outcome does not reflect the true will and democratic aspirations of the people of Ekiti State. The election process was deeply flawed and fell far short of the standards of credibility, transparency, fairness and integrity expected in a democratic society,” the statement said.
The campaign organisation argued that allowing such an outcome to stand would not only amount to a disservice to democracy but could also set a dangerous precedent for future elections in the country.
Despite its dissatisfaction with the result, the Oluyede Campaign Organisation urged its supporters and residents of the state to remain peaceful, calm and law-abiding while it explores all lawful and democratic avenues available to challenge the outcome and seek redress.
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