Ekiti governorship election: Three candidates scramble for 766,132 voters

* As IG reads Riot Act to trouble makers Three governorship candidates, the incumbent governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of All Progressive Congress (APC), former governor Ayo Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon Michael Bamidele, Labour Party (LP) will be scramble it out today in Ekiti state to secure the highest votes of 766,132 registered […]

* As IG reads Riot Act to trouble makers

Three governorship candidates, the incumbent governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of All Progressive Congress (APC), former governor Ayo Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon Michael Bamidele, Labour Party (LP) will be scramble it out today in Ekiti state to secure the highest votes of 766,132 registered voters
Right now, security situation in and out of the state capital, Ado Ekiti was tight as military check points are located at different part of the state.
On Thursday, 21 governorship candidates of other political parties under the umbrella body of Conference of all political party had step down for the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi, who is seeking re-election, came to power on October 16, 2010 following the sack of former governor Segun Oni, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Appeal Court Tribunal, Ilorin, Kwara state after declaring Fayemi the winner of the 2003 re run election.
Eighteen political parties are contesting the poll but three political parties are conspicuous in the race and their candidates are Governor Kayode Fayemi, All Progressive Congress (APC); former governor Ayo Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon Michael Bamidele, Labour Party (LP).
However, many political observers see the contest as between Fayemi and Fayose judging by their followership.
In their respective briefings during the week, both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives had assured all stakeholders of their determination to make the election the best ever conducted in Nigeria.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Pai said the Independent National Electoral Commission had engaged a total of 7,941 ad-hoc staff made up of corps members and students of federal tertiary institutions.
According to him, the commission engaged such a high number in order to be able to attend to a total of 766,132 duly registered voters in the state.
He said out of the figure, 2,195 will work as Presiding Officers while 5,605 will work as Assistant Presiding Officers.
He said out of the figure, 2,195 will work as Presiding Officers while 5,605 will work as Assistant Presiding Officers.
According to him, some of the ad-hoc staff would be deployed in the 177 electoral wards as well as the 16 collation centres at the local government headquarters while the rest would man affairs at the State capital, Ado-Ekiti.
The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar had earlier ordered the closure of all entry points to the state and warned those who have nothing to do directly in the electoral process to stay away from the exercise.
At a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, Jega and the IG assured political parties and their candidates of a level playing ground adding that they had no preffered candidate.
Jega, who allayed the fears of stakeholders about possibility of rigging the poll, said the commission had put in place machinery to guide against rigging as all sensitive materials for the election had been customised making them impossible to fake or manipulate the electoral process.
The police, on the other hand had deployed over 15,000 policemen in adition to thousands of military men and women for the exercise. Aside this, the Commissioner of Police Felix Uyanna, said 25 sniffer dogs, horses, along with 200 Counter Terrorism Specialists and 200 Crime Prevention Officers. Would be deployed for the exercise.
The IG warned candidates contesting the election not to run foul of the Electoral Laws warning that security operatives had been directed to arrest and deal with whoever is found contravening the Electoral Law no matter the status of such persons.
Abubakar warned candidates against moving around with security men and aides warning that such persons and their aides would be arrested and prosecuted.