PDP candidate, Oluyede, rejects Ekiti gov poll result

Ekiti State's Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, has rejected the results of the June 20 election, declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The announcement came from the Oluyede Campaign Organisation, which stated its "unequivocal rejection" of the declared outcome.

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The Oluyede Campaign Organisation hereby unequivocally rejects the results announced by INEC in respect of the just concluded Ekiti State Governorship Election.

INEC Returning Officer Prof. Adenike Oladiji declared incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress the winner. Oyebanji secured 319,224 votes, while Oluyede garnered 40,543 votes. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Dare Bejide, received 12,872 votes in an election that included fifteen participating parties.

The Oluyede Campaign Organisation asserted that the declared results do not reflect the people's true will, citing a "deeply flawed" process. They reported widespread irregularities, including vote buying, voter intimidation, and harassment of opposition supporters, which they claim undermined the election's credibility.

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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.

Concerns were also raised about the conduct of some security operatives, who allegedly compromised public confidence by acting in ways that were not neutral. The campaign organization assured its members and supporters of its commitment to pursuing justice through lawful and democratic means, urging them to remain calm and law-abiding while further steps are determined.

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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.