Few hours into the ongoing gubernatorial election in Ekiti state, incidents of massive vote-buying have been reported in several voting locations.
It was gathered that some political parties have been inducing electorate in the state with money in order to get their votes.
The New Diplomat correspondent on ground in Ekiti gathered that some voters have received between N5,000 and N20,000 to betray their conscience.
The New Diplomat reports there was an open display of vote-buying across Ikere, Oye, and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.
It was also gathered that at a house located behind Oisa Alada Hall, at Ikere-Ekiti, several persons were seen rushing in and out. Inquiries made on the situation revealed that some voters received N7,000 after showing their PVC.
Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested persons alleged to have engaged in vote buying in the Ekiti governorship election.
The EFCC is part of security agencies monitoring the governorship election. The anti-graft agency paraded some of the suspects at the Oke Ori Omi Area Division of the Nigerian Police Force.
The suspects were said to have been caught with monies allegedly used to induce voters, an act the EFCC officials said were carried out surreptitiously.
Earlier, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Segun Oni, after casting his votes at Ward 2, Unit 6 in his Ifaki-Ekiti hometown had alleged that some parties have been engaging in vote buying.
He urged security agents to move quickly to stop this while describing it as a violation of the Electoral Act.
“I have been told that selling and buying of votes are going on in Ado and Oye. This is not allowed by the law.
“I want security agents to move in and stop those doing that,” he said.
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