Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, has commended voters, electoral officials and security agencies for the orderly and peaceful process of the ongoing governorship election across the state.
Oyebanji, who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gave the commendation while speaking shortly after casting his vote at his Polling Unit 03 in Ikogosi on Saturday, June 20.
The governor, who voted alongside his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.
“The true strength of our democracy lies in the peaceful, orderly participation of every single voter,” Oyebanji stated in a post on his X handle.
“It is incredibly inspiring to see our people turning out calmly, with great dignity, and in absolute compliance with all electoral guidelines, reflecting the exceptional Omoluabi spirit that defines Ekiti State.
“I commend the electoral officials and security agencies for their professionalism on the ground so far.”
He urged the people to maintain the peaceful atmosphere across all polling units as the voting process continues, adding that their voice is their power.
He appealed to voters in places where there are glitches to exercise patience, adding that INEC has assured that such would be sufficiently addressed and nobody will be disenfranchised.
“Let us keep our state peaceful, unified, and exemplary,” Oyebanji added.
READ ALSO:
- Ekiti Decides 2026: Meet the 14 Candidates Contesting Ekiti Governorship Seat
- Ekiti Decides: PDP Candidate Oluyede Votes, Alleges BVAS Glitches
- Ekiti Decides: IPC, Police Partner to Protect Journalists
He dismissed allegations of vote buying, voter harassment, and intimidation in some parts of the state raised by his opponents in the election.
According to reports, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, had earlier alleged that APC members were distributing money to voters at a polling unit.
Also, the campaign team of the PDP candidate in the governorship election, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, said it received reports from concerned residents who alleged that some individuals were moving around the state making attempts to induce voters with money ahead of the election.
The campaign team in a statement signed its Director-General, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the status and security of all uncollected PVCs in the state and reassure the public that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent any abuse.
The group also called on all security agencies, election observers, and civil society organisations to closely monitor developments across the state.
While stressing that the credibility of the electoral process must be protected at all times, the campaign team stated that any individual or group found engaging in vote-buying, electoral fraud or any act capable of undermining democracy, should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
However, Governor Oyebanji said anyone making such allegations must provide evidence to support their claims.
