After weeks of campaigns and political manoeuvring, 1,028,929 eligible voters in Ekiti State will today head to the polls to elect a governor from among 13 candidates contesting the election.
The candidates are Opeyemi Falegan (Accord), Oluwasegun Akande (AAC), Oluwadare Bejide (ADC), Ojo Ayodeji (ADP), Olanrewaju Anifowose (APM), Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Dr Oluwole Oluyede (PDP), Olaiya Awogbemi (APP), Oyebanji Olajuyin (LP), Praise Ayodele (PRP), Damilola Adetunji (ZLP), Olusegun Osinkolu (YPP) and Blessing Abegunde (NNPP).
The APM candidate, Chief Joseph Anifowose, had stepped down and endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for re-election, while the SDP is also backing the incumbent governor. Members and supporters of the Accord Party are reportedly supporting the PDP candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede.
Ahead of the poll, no fewer than 1,028,929 voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 97.1 per cent of the state’s 1,059,360 registered voters.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a recent visit to the state that the number of registered voters increased from 987,647 to 1,059,360 following the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register.
The election will be conducted across 2,445 polling units in 177 wards spread across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Police Restrictions
The Ekiti State Police Command on Friday announced restrictions on vehicular movement across the state from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and violence-free governorship election.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the command said the restriction applies to all roads and highways within the state.
“This vehicular movement restriction is expected to prevent the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process,” the statement said.
The police noted that students writing national examinations, designated INEC officials, accredited journalists, election observers, medical personnel and emergency responders would be exempted from the restriction.
The command also warned that VIPs would not be allowed to move with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres.
“The movement of VIPs with armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres is strictly discouraged and will not be allowed,” the statement added.
It further barred vigilante groups and other quasi-security outfits from providing security services during the election.
“Only officers and personnel of security agencies that are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are permitted to provide security in and around designated election facilities.”
The police warned that anyone found violating the directive or attempting to undermine the electoral process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, urged voters to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise, assuring residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
Sensitive Material Deployed
