Ekiti Poll: PDP Candidate Oluyede to Challenge Election Irregularities in Court, Blames INEC and Security Agencies.

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ikere Ekiti

Dr. Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the current Ekiti State governorship election, has claimed that the poll was marred by widespread irregularities. He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies of actions that could undermine the election’s credibility.

After arriving to vote at Polling Unit 6, Ward 3, Osagulu Hall, Ado‑Ekiti, on Saturday, Oluyede spoke to journalists about his frustration with what he said was a deliberate delay in the voting process, even though voters and election materials had arrived early.

Oluyede said that election materials were delivered to the polling unit before voters, who had gathered as early as 6:30 a.m., had begun voting. By 9:45 a.m., the poll had not yet opened.

He added that neither INEC officials nor security personnel offered a satisfactory explanation for the delay, leaving voters uncertain about when accreditation and voting would start.

"The security officials and INEC personnel, without giving any reasonable explanation, stalled the voting process and kept the people waiting for several hours. I joined other voters on the queue very early this morning, yet up till now there has been no clear explanation as to why voting has not started," Oluyede said.

The PDP standard‑bearer said the incident was part of a wider pattern of intimidation and improper conduct intended to discourage voter participation and compromise the election’s integrity.

He warned that his party would seek legal redress if the alleged irregularities continued, stressing that the electoral process must reflect the will of the people.

"We are documenting all these incidents. If these violations continue, we will meet them in court. The people of Ekiti deserve a free, fair and transparent election, and we will pursue every lawful means to protect their mandate," he stated.

At the time of this report, INEC officials at the polling unit had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the PDP candidate. Security agencies, election observers and party agents are closely monitoring the election across the state.