Voters Flee as Gunshots, Vote-Buying Characterize Ondo Gubernatorial Election"
Amid the ongoing gubernatorial election in Ondo State, suspected thugs reportedly fired multiple gunshots in Idanre town, Ondo State, causing panic and forcing voters to abandon polling units. The incident occurred in Ofosu village, Idanre Local Government Area, where gunmen fired shots into the air throughout the day, leading residents to stay indoors to avoid stray bullets.
A community leader reported, “We don’t know who they are, but they’ve been firing gunshots in the village since early morning. Thankfully, there are no casualties, but people are too scared to come out.”
The election, which began early on November 16, has been plagued by reports of vote buying and allegations of bias against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, expressed frustration with the electoral process after his accreditation was delayed due to the malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He accused INEC and its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Olatoyin Babalola, of compromising the election, stating, “The system has been compromised. INEC cannot conduct an election well in one state. It is deliberate, and we do not trust the REC to be fair.”
Reports of vote buying also surfaced, with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly seen distributing cash to voters at various polling units. In a video shared by the African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, APC agents were recorded giving N3,000 to voters in Okitipupa Local Government Area. When confronted, they fled the scene.
In Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, both APC and PDP agents were reportedly handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to collect cash after casting their votes. Voters confirmed the practice but said they were unaware of the exact payment amounts.
Meanwhile, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC governorship candidate, cast his vote early in the day, though the election remains overshadowed by widespread concerns about fairness and security.
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