Tension erupted on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, reportedly clashed over allegations of vote buying.

The confrontation, which disrupted the voting process briefly, reportedly left one ADC supporter injured, who was later rushed to a medical facility for treatment after sustaining a head injury during the altercation.

The ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who voted at the polling unit, accused political actors of attempting to compromise the electoral process through cash distribution allegedly brought into the area.

He alleged that money intended for voters was brought into the vicinity, triggering a confrontation when his supporters attempted to intervene and stop the alleged activity.

Bejide further claimed that a chieftain of the APC arrived at the scene in a Toyota Jeep, allegedly with cash meant for distribution to voters, a situation he said escalated into chaos.

According to him, the situation degenerated after efforts to intercept the alleged cash led to a heated exchange involving party supporters and security operatives.

“One of my aides was attacked by security men brought in by them, and he has been taken to the hospital,” Bejide alleged, describing the incident as a violent disruption of the voting process.

He also said the alleged presence of cash at the polling unit was brought to the attention of security authorities, adding that the matter sparked panic and disorder within the area.

Despite the unrest, Bejide commended the conduct of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, noting that the election had proceeded smoothly prior to the outbreak of violence.

“The electoral personnel have been very diligent, and everything was going on very well before the pandemonium started,” he said.

He added that the situation had calmed after security operatives were redeployed to the area, allowing voting activities to continue under tight security presence, though tension remained high in the polling unit.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called on residents of the state to remain calm and patient following reports of technical challenges that disrupted voter accreditation and delayed voting in some polling units during Saturday’s governorship election.

The governor made the appeal shortly after casting his ballot at Polling Unit 003, Oyebanji’s Compound, Registration Area 06, in Ekiti West Local Government Area.

Reports from different parts of the state indicated that some voters encountered difficulties during the accreditation process, as biometric devices reportedly failed to capture certain individuals, resulting in delays in the commencement of voting in affected areas.

Reacting to the development, Oyebanji expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would resolve the issues and ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.

He urged residents to remain orderly and trust the electoral body to address the situation promptly.

“I want to appeal to our people to be patient, because everyone will vote. I have received assurances from INEC that all those who came out will be allowed to vote,” he said.

The governor’s remarks followed growing concerns among voters in affected areas over delays caused by the technical glitches, which slowed down the voting process in several locations.

Oyebanji said he had been briefed on the situation and was encouraged by assurances from electoral officials that efforts were underway to rectify the malfunction and ensure that all eligible voters who turned out were able to exercise their franchise.

The ongoing by-election in Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State has been described as peaceful.

While expressing satisfaction with the level of voter turnout across the six local government areas of the district, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated that the process had been orderly.

The by-election is being held to fill the vacant seat left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The contest is taking place across Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ileoluji/Okeigbo local council areas of the state.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after casting his vote at Unit 05, Ward 4, Obenla community, Ilaje Local Council Area, Aiyedatiwa stated that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, had carried out extensive mobilisation efforts, contributing to the large turnout recorded.

According to him, structures of the party across the district would continue to drive voter engagement

He said: “We want to encourage everyone to come out and vote, Ondo State is safe and we have a peaceful election, God has been helping us, our security agencies are up and Doing, Ondo State is one of the safest and peaceful state in Nigeria.

“So, We expect turnout of our people, even though it is a by-election. A lot of work has been done by our candidate, Professor Dayo Faduyile, and the environment is still very active politically after the primary election. “