Ekiti Poll: PDP, APC Trade Blames Over Conduct of Governorship Election

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Saturday, June 21st, 2014

PDP candidate in the Ekiti governorship election, Ayo Fayose has accused the All Progressives Party (APC) of causing violence during the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

Mr Fayose also alleged that a deputy governor and a former governor were sharing cash at the pooling booths to lure voters to vote for them even as he lamented that “Money in this game will destroy so many things and will destroy our future.”

The PDP candidate said this after casting his votes at St David’s Anglican primary school, Afao, Ekiti state.

“Well I have done my civic duty, but I am very disturbed by the level of violence.

“I am equally disturbed by the news of money being shared at the polling units, this is alien to our democracy, am surprised that a deputy governor, and a former governor can be driving or going from one polling booth to another carrying cash and in some cases they will give you a camera phone to take your votes in exchange of cash, it is unfortunate.

“Money in this game will destroy so many things and will destroy our future. For me, I have remained in my house and I have left everything to God whichever way it goes, I have taken that every good gifts comes from God almighty. I have put in my best in the campaigns and I will now leave the rest to God.” Fayose stated

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor and APC candidate in the ongoing gubernatorial election has decried the harassment and arrest of his state party stalwarts.

Fayemi expressed the reservation while addressing journalists after casting his vote in Oye local council area of the state. He lamented that the ruling party members were targeted and being rounded up last night for the offences which evidences were not yet provided by any government or security agency.

Another area of concern is what the governor described as presence of “busy bodies”. Governor Fayemi bitterly and vehemently complained about the presence of the trio of Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan and Anambara PDP stalwart, Chris Uba. The governor complained they have sighted them moving around the state for undefined mission. He added he did not know what business they had in the election which has started across the state few hours ago.

Fayemi also said that it has been alleged that the planned hatchet job was to use Special Forces to destabilize the exercise. He contended that the trio must be moved out of the state. The Governor said in the main time, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar as well as head of State Security Services (SSS) have been intimated about the development. He added if the situation escalated beyond expectation, the President would be contacted.

African Examiner learnt that the exercise has been generally peaceful without skirmish.

Reports also indicate that voting has concluded in some polling units and wards, hence the commencement of counting and collation of results.