ADC, APC Supporters Clash Over Alleged Vote Buying In Ilawe-Ekiti

June 20 () — Drama unfolded on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2 in Ilawe-Ekiti, during the Ekiti State governorship election as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) engaged in a heated confrontation over allegations of vote-buying.

The ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who voted at the polling unit, alleged that some politicians attempted to distribute money within the area but were intercepted by his supporters. He further alleged that an APC chieftain arrived near the polling unit in a Toyota Jeep with a large sum of cash, allegedly meant for distribution to voters, which triggered tension and later degenerated into a physical confrontation.

gathered that the confrontation led to the injury of one ADC supporter, who sustained a head wound during the fracas and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Bejide alleged that the incident escalated after money reportedly brought into the area was discovered and intercepted, leading to a dispute involving local political actors and security personnel.

“Now you have the sound, the audio, one of them brought money here, they brought it in a sack, but we intercepted her, she called the council chairman, and the council chairman came here also. And in a bid to defend themselves, they kept on saying that some ADC members were also distributing money. But they couldn’t mention anybody. But we know where the money was kept. And in a bid to retrieve the money, she called the council chairman, and that caused a lot of commotion here”, he stated.

He also alleged that one of his aides was assaulted during the incident by security operatives brought to the scene, adding that the injured supporter had been taken to the hospital.

Bejide, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the election, describing the process as largely orderly despite the disturbance.

“The electoral personnel have been very diligent, and everything is going on very well. You realise that when you came here a few minutes ago, there was pandemonium here, but the moment they saw you with your camera, they ran away”, he added.

Meanwhile, separate tension was reported in Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state, where a police station was reportedly set ablaze amid unrest on Friday evening ahead of the election.

Initial reports suggested that one person was feared killed in the incident, sparking concerns over possible political violence. A viral video from the scene showed parts of the police station engulfed in flames, while a voice alleged that youths had attacked the facility and rejected police presence in the community.

However, the Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election, Abayomi Shogunle, dismissed claims linking the incident to the election, stating that it was unrelated to political activities.

In a post on his X handle, Shogunle explained that the violence was triggered by a community football match and not electoral tensions.

“The incident at Isan-Ekiti last night is non-election/political related. It was as a result of a football match in the community”, he said, adding that security operatives had been deployed to restore calm, noting that voting proceeded as scheduled in the affected area.

“Necessary containment and de-escalation measures put in place, calmness restored. Voting would go ahead this morning in the town as scheduled”, he concluded.

Security agencies have since taken control of the situation, with authorities monitoring developments as voting continues across Ekiti State amid heightened security concerns.