The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 election in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has rejected the outcome of the poll declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the process did not reflect the will of the electorate.
The rejection was contained in a statement issued on Monday, June 22, in Ado Ekiti by the Director of Media and Communications of the Oluyede Campaign Organisation, Sanya Atofarati.
According to INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, the incumbent governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, won the election with 319,224 votes.
Oluyede of the PDP polled 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 12,872 votes. A total of 15 political parties participated in the exercise.
However, the ADC candidate had earlier dismissed the outcome, stating: “My immediate reaction is to reject the result of the election in its entirety because, in my view, the exercise conducted on Saturday was not credible.”
Following the announcement, the Oluyede Campaign Organisation issued a firm rejection of the result, describing it as inconsistent with the true wishes of voters across the state.
“Atofarati stated that the Oluyede Campaign Organisation hereby unequivocally rejects the results announced by INEC in respect of the just concluded Ekiti State Governorship Election.”
The organisation called on its supporters and PDP members to remain calm while consultations are ongoing on the next steps to take, including possible legal and political responses.
It further argued that the electoral process was marred by widespread irregularities that undermined its credibility and fairness.
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“The declared outcome does not, in our considered view, reflect the true will and democratic aspirations of the people of Ekiti State.
“The election process was deeply flawed and fell far short of the standards of credibility, transparency, fairness and integrity expected in a democratic society.”
The campaign organisation alleged that its agents and supporters reported cases of vote buying, intimidation, and harassment of opposition supporters during the poll.
“Throughout the election, our agents, supporters and numerous voters reported widespread irregularities, including vote buying, voter intimidation, harassment of opposition supporters, and other practices that undermined the sanctity of the electoral process.
“These incidents, taken together, cast serious doubts on the credibility of the exercise and the authenticity of the results subsequently declared.”
It also expressed concern over the role of security operatives, alleging that their actions contributed to fear and unfairness during the exercise.
“We believe that the actions and inactions of certain security authorities contributed significantly to the atmosphere of fear, intimidation and unfairness witnessed during the election.”
The group further maintained that the election outcome appeared predetermined, warning that such developments could undermine democracy in the state.
“The events surrounding this election suggest a process whose outcome appeared predetermined, thereby depriving the people of Ekiti State of their fundamental right to freely choose their leaders. This is not only a disservice to democracy but also a dangerous precedent that must not be allowed to stand.”
Oluyede’s campaign organisation reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice through lawful means while urging supporters to remain peaceful as consultations continue.