Ekiti guber poll: SDP candidate claims INEC and police were compromised

The Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Olugbenga Obafemi, has alleged that both the Independent National Electoral Commission and the police were compromised during Saturday’s governorship election.

Obafemi made the claim while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, where he reacted to the outcome of the poll.

He said the election was heavily influenced by vote buying and criticised the conduct of electoral and security officials, as well as party agents, whom he accused of failing in their duties.

“One of the major things that happened is that all the party agents were not up to their work. And the INEC and the police were very much compromised in this election,” he said.

He urged Independent National Electoral Commission to improve its processes ahead of future elections, especially in tackling vote buying.

According to him, poverty made many voters vulnerable to inducements, weakening the quality of democratic choices.

He said campaign activities should be focused on issues rather than financial incentives, adding that the situation in Ekiti reflects deeper economic hardship.

Obafemi also alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress dominated access to billboard advertising spaces across the state, leaving opposition parties with limited visibility during the campaign period.

He claimed that posters placed by opposition groups were often removed shortly after being displayed.

The governorship election was won by incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who reportedly secured victory across all 16 local government areas.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes, defeating his closest opponent Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 40,543 votes. Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress came third with 12,872 votes.

Obafemi urged the governor to prioritise governance and address pressing challenges in the state.

He also raised concerns about insecurity, referencing ongoing cases of abducted residents and claiming that some victims had remained in captivity for several weeks.

His comments came amid wider reports of vote buying, voter suppression, and technical difficulties experienced during the election.

TheCable reported that elderly voters were among those most affected by logistical and technical glitches during the poll.