ADC candidate rejects Ekiti governorship election result

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, has rejected the Ekiti State election result.

Beside, who spoke with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Sunday, described the Saturday election as lacking credibility. 

He alleged that the exercise was conducted in “an atmosphere replica of a war zone”.

The ADC candidate accused the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), of engaging in vote buying through money and food distribution.

He said the government should have relied on its achievements rather than struggling to influence voters.

“My immediate reaction is to reject the result in its entirety because the exercise was not credible,” he said.

Bejide claimed some polling units, including his, witnessed a tense atmosphere during the election, adding: “You all witnessed what happened. 

“Some places were almost like a war zone.”

He alleged that political appointees and a serving senator brought thugs and security personnel.

He said: “In some places, it appeared the election was taking place only in my polling unit.

“It is a sad day for democracy.”

Bejide further alleged that vote buying was carried out openly at several polling units. 

“Bags of money were brought to polling units, and enormous sums were spent,” he claimed. 

He said such actions reflected poor performance by the government.

“If they had performed well, there would have been no need to rely on money,” he said. 

The ADC candidate said he was still studying the election outcome before deciding his next move.

“I have not personally seen the full results; I have only heard reports on social media,” he said.

Bejide added that his team was collating available polling unit results.

“Once we receive and analyse everything, we will brief our party members,” he stated.

He said the party would decide on the appropriate course of action afterwards.

“At this stage, we are certainly not satisfied with the conduct of the election,” he said.

Bejide urged his supporters and Ekiti residents to remain peaceful and calm. 

“We are carefully studying the results and will know the appropriate steps to take,” he added.