Ekiti election transparent, peaceful: Governor Sani amid vote-buying claims

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has lauded the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, describing them as "transparent" and "very peaceful." Governor Sani, who chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the election, shared his assessment after touring several local government areas and receiving reports from all polling units.

"I can assure you that the election, so far, is going very well, very peaceful, transparent and, of course, the people are working together with the relevant security agencies," Sani told Arise TV on Saturday. His positive assessment comes despite widespread allegations of vote-buying that have surfaced across the state.

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I’ve gone round some of the local governments out of the 16 local governments. I have gotten reports in all of the 177 polling units. I can assure you that the election, so far, is going very well, very peaceful, transparent and, of course, the people are working together with the relevant security agencies.

Candidates from opposing parties have voiced concerns. Oluwadare Bejide, the candidate for the African Democratic Congress, claimed APC members were seen distributing cash at a polling center. Similarly, PREMIUM TIMES reporters observed party agents using numbered slips, believed to be linked to subsequent cash payments, as a method to facilitate vote-buying in certain areas.

Despite these allegations, Governor Sani remains optimistic about the APC's prospects, predicting the party will secure approximately 500,000 votes out of the over one million registered voters in Ekiti State. Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were also reportedly present at the state governor's polling unit, potentially to monitor for electoral malpractices.

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APC members were seen doling out cash at the voting centre.