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Tension erupted on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, reportedly clashed over allegations of vote buying.

The confrontation, which disrupted the voting process briefly, reportedly left one ADC supporter injured, who was later rushed to a medical facility for treatment after sustaining a head injury during the altercation.

The ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who voted at the polling unit, accused political actors of attempting to compromise the electoral process through cash distribution allegedly brought into the area.

He alleged that money intended for voters was brought into the vicinity, triggering a confrontation when his supporters attempted to intervene and stop the alleged activity.

Bejide further claimed that a chieftain of the APC arrived at the scene in a Toyota Jeep, allegedly with cash meant for distribution to voters, a situation he said escalated into chaos.

According to him, the situation degenerated after efforts to intercept the alleged cash led to a heated exchange involving party supporters and security operatives.

“One of my aides was attacked by security men brought in by them, and he has been taken to the hospital,” Bejide alleged, describing the incident as a violent disruption of the voting process.

He also said the alleged presence of cash at the polling unit was brought to the attention of security authorities, adding that the matter sparked panic and disorder within the area.

Despite the unrest, Bejide commended the conduct of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, noting that the election had proceeded smoothly prior to the outbreak of violence.

“The electoral personnel have been very diligent, and everything was going on very well before the pandemonium started,” he said.

He added that the situation had calmed after security operatives were redeployed to the area, allowing voting activities to continue under tight security presence, though tension remained high in the polling unit.

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Yiaga Africa has alleged discrepancies between the ballot papers, result sheets, and the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing governorship elections in Ekiti State.

In a statement signed by Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Chair, 2026 Ekiti Election Observation Mission Yiaga Africa, and Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, the duo drew attention specifically to the Form EC8A polling unit result sheets, which provided spaces for 15 political parties, as against 19 parties carried by the ballot papers in circulation.
Yiaga noted that INEC’s final list of candidates, as updated and available on the INEC website as of 18th June 2026, reflected 14 parties that fielded candidates.

“Yiaga Africa is observing the Ekiti State governorship election, and our preliminary findings raise serious concerns about the consistency of the materials INEC has deployed.

“As of 8:30 am, 96% of the observers from our 250 randomly sampled polling units were at the polling unit to observe the election.

“Yiaga Africa recognizes the context. After INEC published its initial list of 12 candidates in January 2026, subsequent court rulings (notably on the PDP’s candidacy) and late administrative changes altered party and candidate participation.
“Some of those changes do not appear to have been fully and consistently reflected across all election materials.
“Also, the public may not have fully received information about these changes.

“These inconsistencies might create confusion during voting and collation. Where result sheets include parties that are not on the ballot, presiding officers may record zero votes for parties that voters did not see.

“Conversely, where voters cast ballots for parties not reflected on the result sheet, such actions could create uncertainty in recording, reconciliation, and collation.”

To Polling Units
Yiaga Africa, therefore, called on INEC to: publicly clarify, without delay, the final list of parties and candidates, and explain any differences between the ballot papers, result sheets, and earlier announcements.

It also demanded that the Commission “Issue clear written instructions to presiding and collation officers on completing result sheets consistently with the law and relevant court judgments, including how to treat parties on the result sheet but not on the ballot and vice versa.”

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A Coalition for the Protection of Democracy in Nigeria has thrown its weight behind Dr Emmanuel Ironbar declaring that the allegations against him are all tissues of lies.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Dr Gabriel Nwambu on behalf Coalition for the Protection of Democracy in Nigeria stating that:

“The Unwavering Loyalty of Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar and the Futility of Opposition Smear
Campaigns.

“It has become absolutely necessary to address the recent barrage of false, politically motivated,
and malicious allegations directed at the Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Dr.
Emmanuel Ironbar.

” As the Convener of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy in Nigeria,
I stand to categorically set the record straight regarding the impeccable character and
undisputed loyalty of a man who has given his all to the success of Governor Prince Otu’s
administration.

“Recently, certain opposition figures and clandestine elements have orchestrated a campaign of
calumny, falsely claiming that Dr. Ironbar controls government appointments and unduly
influences the administration.

“Let it be known that these spurious allegations, designed to mutilate his impeccable integrity
and subject him to public ridicule, are baseless, dead on arrival, and ill-fated.

“A Track Record of Proven Loyalty
Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar is a leader whose dedication and loyalty to His Excellency, Governor
Prince Otu, are not just absolute, but historically proven. When Governor Otu faced immense
political challenges and fair-weather allies turned their backs, Dr. Ironbar stood firmly by his
side. He offered his unwavering support when it mattered most.

“Common sense and history dictate that a man who believed in you and fought for your mandate
when nothing was happening cannot and will not undermine you when success arrives. Dr.
Ironbar’s loyalty is rare, tested, and ranks among the strongest in our modern political
leadership. He remains an unrepentant loyalist and a deeply focused aide.

“A Disciplined Public Servant
To suggest that the headline Chief of Staff operates independently or usurps the Governor’s authority is a
deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distract this administration.

“The facts are clear:
● Total Subordination: Dr. Ironbar is a man who acts strictly at the instructions of Governor
Otu. Every action he takes is a reflection of the Governor’s mandate.

● Unfeigned Humility: In every interaction and execution of his duties, he consistently
directs all credit, recognition, and respect to His Excellency.

● Administrative Focus: His primary objective is the seamless operation of the
government, ensuring that the Governor’s vision is executed efficiently.

“A Call for Constructive Engagement
We urge these opposition critics to immediately cease dragging the office and person of the
Chief of Staff into unnecessary, fabricated political controversies.

“You cannot distract a
government that has its eyes firmly set on the prize.

“Governor Otu’s administration remains united, fundamentally stable, and aggressively committed to delivering good governance through its “People-First” agenda. The Coalition for
the Protection of Democracy in Nigeria will continue to stand against any orchestrated attempts
by detractors to derail democratic progress and vilify dedicated public servants.

“Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar’s integrity remains intact, his loyalty remains unquestionable, and the
desperate plots of his detractors remain doomed to fail.