Serious Tension In Ekiti As over 667,270 Voters Gun For Fayose's Deputy

About six black spots where possible violence may erupt in today's governorship election in Ekiti State, has been identified by Election monitors, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG).

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the chairperson of the group has warned against possible outbreak of violence in the identified areas of Ado-Ekiti the state capital. The identified flash points are; Efon-Alaaye, Oye, Isan, Ire, and Ikole, and it has urged the security agencies to take full charge.

According to the Nation Newspaper, the other areas the group also identified as possible violence flash points includes; Dalimore, Ejigbo Junction, Fajuyi area, Ajilosun and Odo-Ado, all in the heart of the city.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is a native of Isan-Ekiti. Oye is the home town of Senator Ayo Arise, who has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC.

Ire is the home town of former House of Representatives member, Bimbo Daramola, who was harassed along with his octogenarian father during the 2014 poll. During that previous election, votes from Efon Council were cancelled because of crisis.

Also, PDP and APC leaders acknowledged the tension in Ikere, the home town of the PDP flag bearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, which has been polarised by partisan interests of indigenes.

No fewer than four governorship candidates, including Olusola, Abiodun Aluko and Bisi Omoyeni, are from the ancient town.

The TMG chairperson however said:

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure that the election is free, fair and conclusive.

“Also, there should be timely deployment of election materials at the polling unit to avoid voters being apprehensive.”

She adviced politicians to eschew bitterness so as to reduce the tension and allow the people to choose their next governor without resorting to violence and disruptions.

In her view, the poll should not be a do-or-die affair.

Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi also added:

“TMG calls on politicians to abide by the rules and regulations of the electoral process and abstain from monetary inducement to avoid chaos that usually occurs at polling units.

“They should refrain from inciting their supporters to engage in electoral malpractices and violence. They should, instead, mobilise and encourage their supporters to exercise their franchise by coming out to vote the candidate of their choice.”

Meanwhile the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the (DIG) Operations, Mr. Habilal Joshak, who has been put in charge of security for the Ekiti Election, has said;

“We won’t allow anybody to go to the polling booth with armed men, this is a breach of the Electoral Act.

“We have contacted them and they have to be here before election commences. This election must not be compromised. They will be documented and whoever defies this will be sanctioned, because they have been contacted”, he warned.

“If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands, if you run with it, we will stop your legs.

“Our duty is to secure not only the electoral materials but also all the citizens. We are going to be professional and watchful, because we don’t want to be bedeviled with cases of hooliganism, ballot snatching and hate speeches before, during and after this election”, he said.
Credit: TheNation

Related Topics: #EkitiElection, #INEC, #Politics

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