Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose has lamented alleged high level of money-politics being displayed the All Progressives Congress (APC) even as he said that whatever happened, he would leave his fate in the hand of God.
Fayose expressed worry that despite the presence of heavy security in various parts of the state, agents of APC and other political parties were busy freely distributing money to voters at polling units, adding that the rate of violence was also very high.
Speaking to newsmen on Saturday shortly after casting his vote in Afao area of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, the PDP hopeful said: “the issue of money sharing is unfortunate. It is disturbing when highly placed people in government are assigned to polling units to be sharing money. It is unfortunate. Whatever way it (election) goes, I will leave it to God.
“The violence is unprecedented. I called the Inspector General of Police to inform him of the violence. And I called the State Security Service Director in the state and I told him this violence is unprecedented. It is unfortunate but I hope we do not carry this into the 2015 election.”
On whether the violence he alleged would mar his chances, Fayose said: “I have to collate and get information before I can make a statement on whether the violence will affect my chances but I know I have done well, I have campaigned well and I am loved by my people.”
Meanwhile, soldiers and policemen arrested no fewer than seven journalists in various parts of the state as the voting was going on. Our correspondent witnessed the arrest of an unidentified photojournalist in blue native by a team of soldiers for taking their picture in front of Fayose’s house in Afao.
The journalist was put into a patrol vehicle and driven to an unknown destination, while five other journalists identified as, Toyin Yusuf, Oyetunji Ojo, Akin Ogunsola and Aremu Awolola and Jadesola Ajibola of Inspiration FM as well as other technical staff of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation were arrested by the police.
It was learnt that the reporters were arrested by a team of over 50 policemen at Ifaki Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government Area and were reportedly dumped at the Kwara boundary.
One of the reporters, Ajibola, said the Police Mobile Force Commander, identified only as Patrick, handed them over to a senior police officer identified as G.B Seleke, and told them not to return to the state.
“The commander told us that we had no business being in Ekiti State despite our protests that we were accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission. We showed them our tags but the policemen were adamant.” [myad]
