The Ondo governorship election is currently witnessing a mix of challenges and controversies, particularly regarding allegations of vote-buying.

Comrade Kunle Ajayi Wizeman, the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, has strongly criticized the election process, describing it as a “bought election.” He accused major parties of distributing substantial amounts of money at polling units, claiming that funds allocated for public purposes were being diverted to sway voters.

Ajayi emphasized his party’s stance against such practices, describing them as anti-people policies. Instead, the AAC seeks to present a genuine alternative focused on integrity and accountability, rejecting the monetization of elections.

Speaking to journalists, he said:

“It’s a bought election. They have distributed millions of naira across polling units. They’ve used money meant for the supplementary budget to buy votes. For us in the African Action Congress, we are not interested in such backward and anti-people policies. We are here to provide a real alternative to the people, which stands in stark contrast to the rampant monetization of elections we are witnessing, even as I speak.”

Meanwhile, the election has seen other contentious incidents. The Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended an alleged vote-buyer with large sums of cash in Ondo, highlighting ongoing attempts to influence voter behavior.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also accused agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of voter inducement through monetary gifts and materials at certain polling units.

Despite these allegations, reports indicate a peaceful voting process in many areas, with above a million voter turnout, including participation by the elderly and people with disabilities in some districts. But there is also report of sporadic shootings with voters deserting their polling unit for safety.

However, the transparency of the process remains a concern among opposition parties and observers.

The AAC continues to push for a reimagined electoral system that prioritizes the people’s needs over financial inducements, aiming to reshape Nigeria’s political space.

Hoodlums Attack INEC Officials in Ogbagi Akoko, Destroy Electoral Materials

Like it was the ugly case at Ofosu, violence also erupted at Polling Unit 19, Ward 6 in Ogbagi, Akoko area of Ondo State, as hoodlums launched a brutal attack on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the ongoing governorship election.

In a video shared on social media, the Presiding Officer (PO) recounted how the assailants destroyed all electoral materials, stole personal belongings including phones and purses, and physically assaulted the election officials.

The chaos reportedly began after a PDP party agent was arrested for allegedly tearing ballots during the voting process. According to the PO, the incident escalated after the arrest, with a group of attackers storming the polling unit to disrupt the election.

“As the election was ongoing, a PDP agent tore a ballot paper. I attempted to address the issue, but he ignored me. The community leader intervened, and the police eventually arrested him. Shortly after, hoodlums arrived, packed the election materials, and attacked us,” the Presiding Officer narrated.

She also revealed that her Assistant Presiding Officer 1 (APO 1), identified as Bello Samuel, has been missing since the attack. Despite the destruction, the PO managed to secure the BVAS device while other materials were completely destroyed.

“Our phones and purses were stolen, and we were beaten. Only the BVAS was saved,” she added.

Efforts by the PO to seek assistance from the Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) yielded little result before the attack unfolded.

The incidences of violence continue to cast concerns over the credibility of the ongoing election in Ondo State.