Tension flared at a polling unit in Ilawe-Ekiti on Saturday as supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the African Democratic Congress, ADC clashed during the state governorship election.
The confrontation at Unit 4, Ward 2 briefly halted voting and left one ADC supporter hospitalized with a head injury sustained during the melee.
ADC governorship candidate Dare Bejide, who cast his ballot at the affected unit, blamed the chaos on a blatant attempt to compromise the election with cash.
Bejide claimed the violence started when his supporters moved in to block political actors who brought money into the area to bribe voters.
According to the candidate, the situation escalated dramatically when an APC chieftain arrived at the scene in a Toyota SUV packed with cash meant for distribution.
The atmosphere degenerated into a chaotic shouting match involving party loyalists and security operatives as ADC supporters tried to intercept the money.
“One of my aides was attacked by security men brought in by them, and he has been taken to the hospital,” Bejide said, condemning the violent disruption.
The ADC candidate noted that while the cash drop triggered widespread panic and disorder, he had already flagged the incident to security chiefs.
Despite the clash, Bejide praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC staff, stating the process was smooth before the disruption.
While reinforcements have since calmed the scene and allowed voting to resume under tight security, the area remains highly charged.
