Ekiti Poll: Voters Reveal N10,000 APC, N2,000 ADC Cash-for-Votes Scandal

Reports emerging from the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election indicate a significant prevalence of vote-buying, with numerous voters openly acknowledging that they accepted monetary incentives in exchange for their ballots. These admissions come despite the visible presence of both security personnel and anti-corruption agents tasked with monitoring the electoral process.

According to investigations carried out by SaharaReporters, which included visits to at least five distinct polling units in Aramoko Ekiti – the ancestral town of the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s mother, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate – firsthand accounts from voters confirmed that they were financially compensated to support various political parties during the election.

At least five separate individuals interviewed by SaharaReporters confessed to being offered and receiving N10,000 each to cast their votes for the APC. These voters openly discussed the payments, describing the practice as a widespread occurrence across numerous polling centers within the community.

Further observations at Polling Unit 004, located at Chief Ologbodo’s House, Oke Uro, Aramoko II, revealed what appeared to be a coordinated vote-buying scheme involving party representatives. During SaharaReporters' visit, individuals believed to be agents for both the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) approached their reporter, apparently mistaking them for a prospective voter.

The APC agent reportedly extended an offer of N10,000 in exchange for supporting Governor Oyebanji and his party. Concurrently, a representative from the ADC was said to have offered N2,000 to secure a vote for their opposition party. These offers were made without discretion, openly within the immediate vicinity of the polling unit, thereby raising serious questions about the efficacy of measures designed to prevent electoral malpractices during the exercise.

SaharaReporters also stated that they obtained video and audio evidence featuring some of the voters who admitted to receiving funds from political operatives to sway their voting choices. In these recordings, the voters could reportedly be heard discussing the specific amounts allegedly paid and identifying the parties responsible for these inducements.

This development surfaced merely hours after officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly descended upon Governor Oyebanji’s polling unit in Ikogosi amidst escalating allegations of vote-buying across different parts of the state. As previously reported by SaharaReporters, approximately ten EFCC operatives arrived at Polling Unit 003, Foutage of Oyebanji Okelele, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, around 9:05 a.m. on Saturday. The anti-graft officials proceeded to monitor activities around the polling center shortly after voting commenced, although no arrests were immediately announced.

The EFCC’s presence followed repeated cautionary statements issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), various civil society organizations, and other anti-corruption bodies, all warning against the illegal practices of vote-buying and voter inducement during the election. Despite these explicit warnings, SaharaReporters' findings indicate that such practices remain prevalent in certain areas of the state, particularly in Aramoko Ekiti, where both voters and political operatives appeared to openly discuss cash payments linked to the electoral exercise without apparent fear of repercussions.

The Ekiti governorship election is being conducted across all 16 local government areas of the state, with Governor Oyebanji vying for a second term in office against contenders from several opposition parties.