Provide Proof of Officers Aiding Vote Buying in Ekiti Gov Poll — Police

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called on residents, election observers and political stakeholders alleging electoral malpractice during the Ekiti State governorship election to provide credible evidence to support their claims.

The police made the call while responding to allegations that some officers deployed for election duty aided vote-buying during Saturday’s governorship poll.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Force’s New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, said allegations of electoral offences should be backed by verifiable proof rather than assumptions based on photographs circulating online.

The reaction followed a viral image shared on social media by journalist Oseni Rufai, showing two policewomen standing near an open polling booth in Ikere Local Government Area.

The image was accompanied by claims that the officers were assisting politicians and party agents in vote-buying activities during the election.

The post generated widespread reactions from members of the public, with some users accusing the police of compromising the integrity of the electoral process.

Responding to the allegations, Giwa maintained that the officers captured in the image were performing their constitutional responsibility of maintaining security at the polling unit.

“Allegations of vote buying are serious and should not be based solely on a photograph. The image shows police officers at a polling unit carrying out their constitutional duty of maintaining security,” he stated.

He further stressed that any evidence linking police personnel to electoral misconduct should be formally presented for investigation.

“If there is evidence that any officer aided electoral malpractice, such evidence should be presented for investigation. Facts strengthen democracy and assumptions weaken it,” Giwa added.

The police position comes amid reports by some opposition parties and election observers alleging vote-buying and other irregularities in parts of Ekiti State during the election.

Despite the complaints, the election was largely conducted peacefully across the state’s 16 local government areas, with security agencies maintaining a visible presence at polling units and collation centres.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election.

Oyebanji secured 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challengers, Olumayokun Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The police reiterated their commitment to professionalism and neutrality, assuring Nigerians that any credible complaint against officers involved in election duties would be thoroughly investigated in line with established procedures.