Allegations of vote-buying have surfaced during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, with voters claiming they received cash from political party agents in exchange for their votes.
In Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, several voters alleged that agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) offered N10,000 each, while representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) reportedly paid N2,000 to secure their support.
At Polling Unit 004, Chief Ologbodo’s House, Oke Uro, Aramoko II, party agents were allegedly seen openly offering cash to prospective voters despite the presence of election officials and security personnel. Some voters described the practice as widespread across several polling units in the area.
The allegations came hours after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited Polling Unit 003, Foutage of Oyebanji Okelele, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, following concerns over vote-buying.
About 10 EFCC officials reportedly arrived shortly after voting began and monitored activities around the polling unit. No arrests had been announced as of the time the report was filed.
Ahead of the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations had warned political parties and voters aga,inst vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
