Quote:A coalition of domestic and international election observers accredited to observe the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti State said the election fell short of global best practices and electoral standards.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kayode Fayemi, as the winner of the election.


The observers, who comprised representatives from over 50 domestic organisations, human rights groups and international election observer bodies, based their report on lapses noticed in the conduct of the election, especially the role of security agencies.

The observers include Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Nigeria; Justice and Equity Organisation, Nigeria; International Republican Institute, United States of America; and Patriotic Women Foundation, Abuja, as well as the other bodies from the African Unions, among others.


The observers, who praised INEC for the proper conduct of the poll in line with global and constitutional dictates and standards, faulted the deployment of 30,000 policemen for the election.

The observers stated that the conduct of some of the security operatives and unwholesome practices of vote buying — where voters surreptitiously showed which party they voted to party agents who went behind to settle them, largely marred the electoral process.

They also said the election was characterised by ballot box snatching, sporadic shootings and driving away of some party agents as well as intimidation, oppression and forceful influence of electorate’s free will, among others.

The observers, therefore, held that the July 14 poll could not be recommended as a template for the forthcoming 2019 general elections as it fell short of global standards and spelt doom.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the domestic observers, Gabriel Nwambu, of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Abuja, said, “The exercise witnessed a high level of unprecedented electoral related challenges and such abuse will remain contentious until justice prevails, especially in the areas of cash inducement, arrests of political stalwarts by security agents and snatching of electoral materials by political thugs, among other abuses.

“Party agents had huge cash and were close to voting points. Security agents were indifferent to cash inducement of voters. The whole process falls short of the compliance with international best standards.”

Quote:Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday raised the alarm over aerial surveillance of the Government House, Ado-Ekiti by a police helicopter.

Fayose said the police chopper has constituted danger to his personal safety, his family, workers and visitors to the Government House.

He expressed dismay that aerial surveillance of his official residence and office has continued unabated even after the July 14 governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued on by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor described the development as “brazen show of Unclad force and abuse of power by the Federal Government.”

He also accused the nation’s security forces of allowing themselves to be used to intimidate political opponents despite being funded with tax payers’ money.

According to him, security agencies must be apolitical and not turned themselves to willing tools in the hands of powers that be.

He, however, vowed not to be intimidated by the alleged clampdown, adding that he would continue to speak against injustice and advocate for liberty of Nigerians.

Fayose said: “They continue to fly helicopters over the Government House and Governor’s Office in a way that compromises the safety and well-being of residents and workers.

“The helicopter flies so low that it runs the risk of crashing into high-rise buildings and masts within the premises.

“The noise pollution this causes is enough irritation. This brazen show of Unclad force and abuse of power is as ungodly as it is undemocratic.

“If the security forces belong to all Nigerians and not to President Muhammadu Buhari and APC, it should not be biased in this blatant manner

“It is unprofessional of the security forces to allow themselves be this debased, running APC errands when they are funded with resources that belong to all of us.

“They are obligated by the Constitution to be apolitical and not willing tools in the hands of the powers-that-be

“Once again, I say I will not be intimidated. I will stand on my feet until every injustice is upturned and the freedom and liberties of our people are restored