Ondo bye- elections: Deputy Governor allegedly shares money at voting centres - NEWS FRONTIER DAILY

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Saturday, February 26, 2022

Ondo bye- elections: Deputy Governor allegedly shares money at voting centres

By Editor



Tension heightened in many voting centres in Akure North/ South federal constituency on Saturday during the House of Representatives bye elections following allegation that the state deputy governor, Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa was distributing money to influence voters.

But, low turn out of voters characterised the election across the Federal constituency.

It was gathered that the deputy governor decided to visit some centres following abysmal performance of the party's candidate, Mayokun Alade and the distress call by All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders.

Voters at St Paul's Primary school, Obaile, ward 9 Unit 3 in Akure North who identified the deputy governor kicked against his presence at the centre.

Our Correspondent gathered that the deputy governor who visited the centre in Black Mercedes Benz G - Wagon with covered plate number was accompanied by an official of the Civil Defence.

Ayedatiwa was not accompanied to the voting centres visited by his usual security personnel.

He was welcome at the St Paul's Primary voting Primary School by a former Works commissioner, Saka Ogunleye  who is a leader in Akure North.

However, one of the voters , a female who was obviously furious at the development, said they would not allowed any body snatch any ballot box .

She said, " We saw him ( deputy governor) he came to share money , let them share any amount, he would fail. This is PDP unit , we won't allow them to snatch any ballot box."

*** lt's a lie, they should bring evidence - Deputy governor

But in a swift response, the deputy governor denied the allegation saying he didn't leave his residence.

In an interview, the deputy governor said
It is not true. How can I go around distributing money. What is my own with that? Anyone that says so should bring evidence where they saw me distributing money.

"I live outside government house. I live among the people, I don't live in government house for now. So if anybody say they see me, maybe around my area. I don't understand what they are saying.

*** Deputy governor came to monitor situation as senior citizen- Ex- Commissioner

But, the former Works Commissioner, Saka Ogunleye while speaking on the presence of the deputy governor and allegation of distribution of money to voters at the centre said " this is not his ward, he is from the south. But as a Senior citizen he came to monitor the situation.

"How can he be distributing money. He only came here to ask me questions and I told him that the election had been peaceful.

"The allegation that APC  tried to snatch ballot is not true. Those making the claim were only insinuating. Are they afraid? It is a free and fair election we will not create any crisis.

*** APC leader beaten up for running away with voter's money 

It was gathered that at Methodist Primary School, Gbogi, a leader of the APC was beaten up and tied for allegedly running away with N240, 000 meant to influence voters.

He was rushed to a private hospital at lsinkan area by party supporters.

In an interview, he said that the money given to him was handed over to another party leader who eloped with it before the poll.

*** Our members attacked in lju - Eyitayo Jegede alleges

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Eyitayo Jegede SAN who voted at ward 2 unit 9, Sacred Heart Primary School, Akure has alleged that members of the party were attacked and injured by thugs in lju, Akure North. 

Jegede said elections were disallowed in some areas by thugs sponsored by the ruling party in the state.

*** APC candidate chased out of polling unit.

The House of Representatives candidate of the APC, Mayowa Alade was chased out of his polling unit at Gbogi Isinkan II, Ward 3, Unit 14 of Akure

Alade was accused by voters of financial inducement, but for the timely intervention of security agencies and APC leaders who whisked him out of the venue.

Eyewitnesses said that the voters protested against the candidate as he was seen distributing money to induce voters to vote for him.

He was hurriedly moved out of the scene by party leaders as the people mobilized against him.

Alade was thereafter prevented him from voting.

Reacting, Alade however debunked the allegation noting that "the people spotted me in white and hailed me, trying to hug me. I did not give anybody money to vote for me."

The candidate claimed that he had voted before he was whisked out of the premises so as not to disrupt the election.

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