BY OLUWA RAISE-ME-UP
Otunba Emmanuel Ajisafe Fayose, a governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, has rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election held on November 6, 2025, in Ado-Ekiti, describing it as fraudulent and marred by irregularities.
Fayose, alleged that the exercise was characterized by manipulation, violence, intimidation, and falsification of results. He vowed to challenge the outcome in court to reclaim what he described as his “stolen mandate.”
Briefing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the ADC chieftain accused some party leaders of writing fictitious figures in favour of Ambassador Dare Bejide, Prof. Olusola Eleka, and Barrister Femi Adegbite, in clear violation of the party’s electoral guidelines.
“Votes were manufactured for some aspirants while elections did not hold in several designated centres. In some areas where voting took place, the process was marred by violence and intimidation,” Fayose alleged.
He further called on the national leadership of the ADC to nullify the announced results and declare him the authentic winner, insisting that party members genuinely voted for him and that his votes were the only ones that reflected the true situation at the polling centres.
“I’m using this medium to appeal to our national leaders to declare me the rightful winner of the election. My votes were not inflated like those of other aspirants. The total votes allotted to all contestants even exceeded the number of accredited voters,” he added.
Fayose also accused the party’s Public Relations Officer, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogun, of announcing a “fake result” without the authorization of the designated election officials. He urged the national chairman, secretary and other party leaders to urgently intervene and cancel the result.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the ADC, Otunba Fayose appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as he seeks redress through legal means.
“I remain committed to the growth and unity of our great party in Ekiti State. I urge my supporters to stay peaceful while we pursue justice through the appropriate channels,” he stated.
According to the announced results, Ambassador Dare Bejide emerged winner with 15,466 votes, followed by Prof. Olusola Eleka with 12,003 votes, Barr. Femi Adegbite with 9,141 votes, Otunba Ajisafe Fayose with 2,865 votes, and Apostle Ayodele Adesua with 135 votes.
In a related development, Fayose’s state agent, Comrade Akinleye Peter Oluomo, corroborated his principal’s claims, alleging that the primary was “inconclusive” and that agents of aspirants were barred from signing the result sheets. He maintained that the figures released to the media were doctored in favour of Bejide and Eleka.