Armed officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Amotekun corps have stormed Governor Biodun Oyebanji's polling unit in Ekiti State to prevent vote buying and violence during the Ekiti State chairmen and councillors election.

Armed officials of the three agencies arrived at the polling unit at the same time, with their positions strategically placed to monitor the situation and prevent any act of violence that could disrupt the voting process.

The election, which is being conducted across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, features candidates from multiple political parties, including incumbent governor Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Oluwole Oluyede (PDP), Oluwadare Bejide (ADC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party), Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party), Blessing Abegunde (NNPP), Bidemi Awogbemi (APP), and Ayodeji Ojo (ADP).

Others include Samuel Akande (AAC), Olaniyi Ayodele (PRP), Victor Adetunji (Zenith Labour Party), Olu Omotoso (Action Alliance), Joseph Anifowose (Allied Peoples Movement), and Ayodele Osinkolu (Young Progressive Party).

Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) is overseeing the exercise to elect chairmen and councillors for the councils.

Biodun Oyebanji, who is also the incumbent governor of Ekiti State, has been a key figure in the state's politics for years. He was first elected as a senator in 2011 and later elected as the governor of Ekiti State in 2022.

The presence of the EFCC officials at the polling unit suggests that the commission is determined to prevent any form of financial crime or vote buying during the election.

According to the electoral commission, only eligible voters who have registered and collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are allowed to vote in the election.

The election has been closely watched by observers who are keenly monitoring the exercise to determine the level of voter turnout and the extent to which the electoral commission has complied with the electoral laws.

Key Facts

  • The election is being conducted across 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.
  • The electoral commission has deployed officials to monitor the voting process and prevent any form of electoral malpractice.
  • Only eligible voters who have registered and collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are allowed to vote in the election.
  • The election features candidates from 11 political parties.
  • The presence of EFCC officials at the polling unit suggests that the commission is determined to prevent any form of financial crime or vote buying during the election.

The election is a crucial test of voter sentiment in Ekiti State, and the outcome is expected to determine the fate of the state's governance for the next four years.