Ekiti Poll: INEC Dispels Rumors Of Thumb-Printed Ballot Papers As Aircraft With Suspicious Cargo Lands In Akure

There is palpable apprehension in Ekiti State over the presence of two airplanes, which landed at the neighboring Akure Airport, Ondo State, bearing an unknown cargo. It is believed the contents have something to do with Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

The planes arrived before noon on Tuesday and one of those at the airport was a serving minister, who supervised the offloading of the cargo from the aircraft into a bullion van marked BL271AGN.

While some claim the content of the cargo might have been cash, which an unnamed political party wants to use to influence voters, a political pressure group was categorical in its claim as it alleged a rigging plan.

The Ekiti Youth Emancipation Movement, EYEM, alleged in a statement by its President Taiwo Olatunji that in the bullion van, were fake thumb-printed ballot papers and result sheets which were ferried to Ado-Ekiti from Akure.

Also in the cargo according to the group, were fake military and police uniforms.

Challenging security agents to investigate its claims, EYEM also alleged that some political leaders of one of the top political parties, desperate to win the election by hook or crook, were behind the plot.

The group also alleged that a meeting to fine-tune the rigging plan was held at an Akure hotel on Monday before the items were flown in yesterday.

Mr. Olatunji said if security agents were really out to do their work, they should find out the destination of the fake thumb-printed ballot papers.

“These people are unbelievably wicked and desperate. In fact, part of their plan on Saturday is to start jubilation that they have won even while elections are still ongoing”, EYEM said.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, described the allegation as “idle talk”.

Mr Kayode Robert Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, said: INEC is not aware of it. It is definitely an idle talk. You know this is election time and people will be saying all sorts of things. Anybody can say anything. You can also ask the military authorities and you will confirm what I said. INEC is not aware of it; I seriously think it is an idle talk”.