#EkitiDecides: ‘Sad for democracy,’ PDP candidate alleges voter suppression in governorship poll

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ekiti governorship election, Wole Oluyede, has alleged voter suppression and harassment of party supporters by security operatives.

Oluyede made the allegation on Saturday after arriving at Polling Unit 6 in Ugele/Aroku Ward 3, Ikere LGA.

The PDP chieftain later cast his vote at the polling unit at about 9:31 am.

He raised concerns over the slow pace of voting and questioned the conduct of the electoral process.

“People have been here for about one and a half hours, and only five people have voted in my polling unit,” he said.

“That’s what they do all the time. So I am suspecting that there’s something wrong with the INEC process.”

The governorship candidate said he would remain at the polling unit to observe the exercise.

“I’m going to hang around. If they are voting five people per hour, that is sad. Something is wrong,” he said.

Oluyede also claimed that election officials had been unable to reach an INEC technician to resolve technical issues.

“They have been calling the RATECH for the last 45 minutes. No response,” he said.

“The INEC cannot disenfranchise these people. It is sad for democracy. Although I am still very confident that my people are still going to stay here peacefully.”

The PDP candidate further alleged that security personnel were intimidating voters and supporters in parts of Ikere.

“Go to that place (referring to the garage axis beside Ikere city hall), there are an army of policemen harassing people,” he said.