Ekiti PDP candidate faults gov poll, consults lawyers, party

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the June 20 election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has said the poll fell short of the expectations of a free, fair, credible and acceptable exercise.

Oluyede said he was still consulting on his next line of action based on reports received from across the 16 local government areas of the state and his assessment of the election.

In a signed statement, titled “A message of gratitude, hope and commitment to the people of Ekiti State,” made available in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, the PDP candidate appreciated party members and supporters for standing firm in their belief and voting according to their conscience.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had, in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the election with 319,224 votes, while Oluyede of the PDP polled 40,543 votes to place second.

Oluyede said, “The official results declared by the INEC credited our great party with 40,543 votes. To every one of you who stood firmly with us and refused to exchange your conscience for personal gain, I owe you a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay.”

He, however, maintained that the election did not meet credible standards.

“My position regarding the conduct of the election remains clear. Based on reports received from our polling agents across the 16 local government areas, information available to our campaign and my own assessment of events, I firmly believe that the election fell short of the standard of a free, fair and credible election that the good people of Ekiti deserved.

“The numerous reports of voter inducement, intimidation, operational challenges involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, delayed accreditation and other alleged irregularities have raised serious questions that deserve transparent and impartial examination.

“As someone who has great respect for the Office of the President and for His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, I believe every step we take after this election must be guided by wisdom, responsibility and respect for our democratic institutions.

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“For that reason, I am currently consulting extensively with the leadership of our great party, my lawyers and members of my legal team.

“Those consultations are ongoing. At the appropriate time, I shall brief the good people of Ekiti State on the outcome of those consultations and the next steps regarding all matters arising from this election.

“Whatever decision is eventually taken will always be guided by the rule of law, the interest of our supporters and my unwavering commitment to justice, democracy and the future of Ekiti State.”

Oluyede assured supporters that their sacrifices were not in vain.

“You have strengthened my faith. You have renewed my hope. You have inspired my determination. I will never abandon you. I will continue to stand with you. I will continue to speak for you. I will continue to defend the interests of Ekiti State.

“Our past is only a story already told. Our future can still be written in gold. Together, we shall continue this journey with faith, courage, unity and hope until Ekiti State attains the greatness our people deserve,” he said.

He also criticised unnamed individuals who, according to him, benefited from the PDP but later declared the party irrelevant in the state.

Oluyede said his participation in the election went beyond seeking office, adding that his mission was to restore hope, defend democratic choice and strengthen democratic participation in Ekiti State.

He recalled that he had engaged in legal battles before the election to ensure the PDP remained on the ballot, describing it as necessary to preserve democratic choice.