The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday, June 20 governorship election, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has said that the outcome of an expert review will determine his next step regarding the election result.
Oluyede added that such a review would also help legitimise the outcome and the status of the winner.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, winner of the poll after scoring 319,224 votes, while PDP’s Oluyede polled 40,543 votes.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at his campaign office in Ado-Ekiti, the PDP candidate alleged irregularities and intimidation by the ruling party and security agents, describing the situation as a serious concern for the democratic process.
His words:
“The election on Saturday was very different. There were a lot of things going on that were outstanding. I didn’t think I needed to react with a jack-in-the-box response.
“I wanted to have facts. I wanted to review evidence and make a rational decision on what to do and say. Honestly, the process is still ongoing—the process of review.
“I am receiving a lot of evidence across the state. I am getting calls from observer bodies, voters, and concerned citizens. I felt my reaction shouldn’t be emotional; it should be rational.
“Elections are meant to be won and lost. This is not my first time of running for elections. This time it is different. My main interest today is to thank the Ekiti people.
“I went around the state. They received me. One thing that was very obvious was that they were yearning for change. They wanted change. They came out and supported me.
“The elections went in different ways. Some people probably sold their votes because that is what they think elections should be. That is their expectation, and it is mainly because they have been impoverished. They will take anything they can get for survival.
“Then there were those who were intimidated—people who wanted to vote but were harassed by the ruling party and their agents, either by assault or intimidation, preventing them from expressing their will.
“There is evidence of that. There is also evidence of negligence by INEC officials who allegedly failed to ensure proper use of BVAS.
“There are allegations and video evidence of vote buying and distribution of money on election day, as well as people wearing party logos in violation of electoral laws.
“My interest at this moment is to subject all available evidence to expert review and possibly legal review to ensure the sanctity of our elections.
“This should not be about me or Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; it should be about Ekiti and Nigeria. How do we strengthen democracy and improve our electoral system?
“I am not desperate for office. I contested fairly and followed all INEC guidelines. If I lost fairly, I would accept it.
“But if there is evidence of misconduct and we choose to ignore it, then Nigeria has a problem.
“I will subject everything to review. Even to help Mr. Oyebanji, it is important to verify that he is truly the legitimate winner in a fair process.
“I am not going to walk away. It would be unfair to the Ekiti people. I will remain involved in the process.
“I am proud of those who voted for me despite intimidation. They are the hope of democracy.
“I am still in politics and will continue to be part of the process. One day, we will have elections that we can all be proud of.”
He urged the media to continue to serve as the voice of the voiceless with fairness and objectivity, and called on Nigerians to play active roles in political development.
On his political stance, Oluyede said he remains a member of the PDP.
“The PDP has given me a platform. I was once in the APC. In my opinion, the APC is not democratic enough.
“The PDP has its challenges, but we are reviving it. I am proud of what we are building.
“I remain in the PDP. I am not going anywhere. As for President Bola Tinubu, I believe he is currently the best person to lead Nigeria.
“If I ever have doubts, I will engage him privately. My support is based on what I believe is in the best interest of Nigeria.
“I will continue to support him unless I see otherwise.”
On the arrest of his supporters, he said he had discussed the issue with Governor Biodun Oyebanji during a recent visit.
“He said he did not know about it. I gave him names of those involved, and he promised to look into it. I have evidence that action is being taken.
“There are no personal issues between us. Politics is politics. If he becomes governor, I will cooperate with him for the development of Ekiti State.
“I believe in peace, but I also stand on principles. Violence has no place in our politics.
“I want Ekiti to prosper. That is my only interest.
