The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has expressed concern over delays in the voting process and alleged instances of voter intimidation during Saturday’s governorship election.
Oluyede, who cast his vote at Osaguru Hall, Unit 6, Ward 3, Ikere-Ekiti, said the accreditation and voting process at his polling unit was moving at an unusually slow pace, describing the situation as discouraging for voters.
According to him, only a small number of voters had been processed over an hour after voting began, a development he said could disenfranchise eligible voters.
“The process is actually not encouraging. People have been here for about one and a half hours, and only about five people have voted in my polling unit,” he said.
He also alleged that security personnel deployed to the area were intimidating voters, claiming that some officials were moving around in unmarked vehicles and creating fear among residents.
“I feel very unfortunate. Where I voted, there are only a few security personnel, but not far from here where the deputy governor votes, there is a large presence of policemen who are harassing people,” Oluyede alleged.
He further claimed to have documented some of the incidents, saying the evidence would be made available at the appropriate time.
“They are using unmarked vehicles. I have recorded them, and I have evidence which I will present when the time is right. This is unacceptable,” he added.
Oluyede also criticised the absence of rapid response support at the polling unit, saying repeated calls for intervention had gone unanswered.
“They have called the RATech for the past 45 minutes, and no one has shown up. You cannot disenfranchise these people. It is sad for democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
Election officials were yet to respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
