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#Ekitidecides: Election Turns Violent As APC, ADC Supporters Clash
Tension exploded on Saturday at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ilawe Ekiti, during the ongoing governorship election, as supporters of the APC and ADC engaged in a violent clash over allegations of vote buyingLocal news updates
The incident reportedly left one ADC supporter injured and rushed to the hospital after a scuffle broke out at the polling unit.
The ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, who voted at the unit, accused political actors of attempting to influence the process with cash allegedly brought to the polling area.
He alleged that money meant for distribution was brought into the vicinity and that a confrontation followed when his supporters tried to stop it.
Bejide also accused a chieftain of the APC of arriving the scene in a Toyota Jeep, allegedly with cash intended for voters.
He claimed the situation escalated into chaos after attempts were made to intervene.
It was gathered that during the confrontation, one ADC supporter sustained a head injury and was quickly taken away for medical attention.
Describing the incident, Bejide said: “Now you have the sound, the audio, one of them brought money here, they brought it in a sack but we intercepted her, she called the council chairman, and the council chairman came here also.
Ekiti Decides: PDP Candidate Oluyede Votes, Decries BVAS Glitches
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ekiti State governorship election, Wole Oluyede, has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election at Ugele/Arokun Ward in Ikere Local Government Area.
Addressing reporters shortly after he cast his vote at Polling Unit 006, Ugele/Arokun Ward, Oluyede said many voters at his polling unit had yet to vote due to challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.
According to him, there was voter harassment and intimidation in the ward.
But he expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the governorship election.
The polling centre witnessed the presence of several elderly voters who turned out early for the election.
The election is largely seen as a contest between Oluyede and the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Meanwhile, Isaac Fayose, younger brother to former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose, had earlier alleged vote manipulation across the state.
Trump boasts Israel will ‘do as I say’ as US intelligence fears peace deal sabotage
United States President Donald Trump has insisted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu respects him and would “do as I say,” even as US intelligence agencies reportedly fear the Israeli leader could undermine his peace efforts in the Middle East.
Trump made the claim as renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon threatened to complicate his fragile peace push involving Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said Israel would have been “eviscerated” without US support.
He also said he had to keep Netanyahu “a little bit sane,” while insisting the Israeli leader had “a lot of respect” for him.
Asked if he could control Israel’s actions in Lebanon, Trump replied: “Yeah. They have a lot of respect for me and do as I say.”
However, the Washington Post reported that US intelligence agencies had warned that Netanyahu could try to “undermine” Trump’s peace efforts.
The warning came as Israel and Hezbollah traded attacks shortly after another ceasefire was agreed.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran three days earlier, Israel and Hezbollah were expected to immediately halt hostilities in Lebanon.
Netanyahu, who did not sign the memorandum and was reportedly sidelined in the talks, has maintained that Israel will remain in the “security zone” it created beyond the border indefinitely.
Aiyedatiwa: Less Than 100,000 Voters May Decide Ondo South Bye-Election
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said fewer than 100,000 voters may determine the outcome of the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election being conducted across the district’s six local government areas.
The governor made the remark on Saturday after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 5, Obenla, in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism about voter participation despite the election being a bye-election, citing the level of engagement recorded during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held about three weeks ago.
The bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacant senatorial seat following the appointment of former senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The governor said the APC remained confident of victory, noting that the party’s structure across the district was active and well mobilised.
According to him, the election is taking place in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local government areas that make up the Ondo South Senatorial District.
“We expect a good turnout of voters even though it is a bye-election. Looking at the participation recorded during our primary election, the political environment is active and people are ready to come out and vote,” he said.
