My People Abused APC Everyday, And Voted For Money On Saturday – ADC Candidate, Oluyede

By Ayodele Oni

Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party, (ADC) in last Saturday’s election, in Ekiti state, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has said the result of the poll is a reflection of the wish of the people.

Oluyede pointed out that the election was not all that free and fair but that people voted for a candidate of their choice.

The ADC candidate explained that despite irregularities observed, he would not challenge the outcome at the Tribunal, saying key stakeholders in the election including INEC and Security agents compromised.

He told Journalists in Ikere Ekiti, that money was shared openly to induce electorate without any check by INEC officials and security agents.

“I believe the person Ekiti people deserve is who they voted for but certainly the best candidate was not the winner because the election was procured with money.

“Everybody involved in the election were compromised, the INEC inclusive. If anybody said INEC did a good job, it is either that things are so bad that we can’t recognize what is good.

“It was so evident that they favoured a particular party above the others, party agents of that particular party are the ones INEC asked questions.

“Areas that belong to opposition parties are the places where things are difficult, my polling unit for instance, nothing worked until about 11am.

“In my hometown, people were going out with Government vehicles with security agents to arrest and openly give out bribes, is that a free and fair election? So, security people were compromised, INEC itself was compromised.

Oluyede maintained that Ekiti people cannot say that the Government forced anything on them.

“The funny thing is that until Thursday before the election, people were complaining about the APC Government, but then they woke up on Saturday and everyone was for vote for money.

“Then a few people came to my house and started accusing me of not bringing money and asking if the people I gave money didn’t bring the money out.

“Yes, I gave the instruction that nobody should distribute money. I did not and will not buy the vote of an Ekiti person.

“I am possibly the only person that has spent money from his own personal fortunes for the past  eight years, I deliberately did not sort money from anybody, if anybody gave me money, they will be my personal friends.

“This incoming Government, whatever the outcome, it  is not forced on the Ekiti people, it is their choice which they made based on how much money they got.

“Personally, I learnt a new lesson from the Ekiti people and if I had known, I would not have become a politician.

“I became a politician because I felt the Ekiti people would be upright and make a good choice irrespective of the situation.

“But I found out that Ekiti people have actually owned poverty, because we are poor, anybody that brings money has our vote, so, they are happy with it.

“Every community I visited they complained of how Government presence is not there even in the State capital, they claimed that they are making efforts as a community to do things themselves, and as a person who believe in charity, I help them.

Oluyede expressed disappointment in Ekiti people who voted based on money, especially, his kinsmen in Ikere Ekiti who failed to support their own son, despite the fact that they called him to contest the seat so as to enable the town produce a governor.

“I really don’t think Ikere can get any political office. Ifaki voted their son, Ikogosi did too, its only Ikere that didn’t vote their own.

“I am really worried on how things will go, but so far that I am not a politician anymore, I don’t think it is my business.

“I ran for governorship because of the way the south has been cheated out of power and when I returned in December, the people of Ikere put so much pressure on me saying it  is our time to do it and I decided to run for Ikere sake, on that day, they were over 2,000 people in my house.”