Ekiti election tension rises as ADC, APC trade accusations

The governorship campaign of the African Democratic Congress in Ekiti State has accused political opponents of engaging in the unlawful collection of Permanent Voter Cards from residents ahead of the forthcoming election.

Speaking at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the Director of Communications, Media and Publicity for the Dare Bejide Campaign Organisation, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, claimed that individuals linked to the All Progressives Congress were moving across communities collecting PVCs and voter information.

He further alleged that some individuals were being equipped with counterfeit uniforms resembling those of the Amotekun Security Network and were being prepared to disrupt the electoral process.

According to Aribisogan, “the individuals are being trained and mobilised to intimidate voters, snatch ballot boxes and attack polling agents on election day.”

He described the alleged use of fake Amotekun attire as an attempt to tarnish the image of the regional security outfit and create confusion among voters.

Aribisogan urged the Commander of the Ekiti Amotekun Corps, Brig Gen Olu Adewa (retd), and the police to act swiftly against anyone unlawfully wearing the organisation’s uniform.

He said, “Across several local government areas in Ekiti, our party has documented a pattern where agents and foot soldiers of the APC are moving from house to house and polling units demanding the collection of PVCs and National Identification Numbers from voters.

“They promised cash, food items, or welfare support in exchange. This is a direct violation of Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits voter inducement and the seizure of voter cards.

“The aim is clear; disenfranchise citizens, harvest PVCs, and use them for thumb-printing and multiple voting on election day. No citizen should surrender their PVC or NIN to any political party agent. Your PVC is your power. Once you give it up, you give up your voice.”

The ADC spokesman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to publicly caution political actors against collecting PVCs and NINs from voters and to intensify monitoring in areas considered vulnerable.

Appealing directly to residents, he said, “We use this medium to tell Ekiti people not to be intimidated. Do not surrender your PVC or NIN. Do not be cowed by thugs in borrowed uniforms. Your vote is your right, and it is your power. Come out on election day, vote and protect your vote.”

Responding to the allegations, the APC’s State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, rejected the claims and argued that modern electoral technology makes it impossible to use another person’s voter card.