
Amidst widespread irregularities in the ongoing local government elections in Oyo State, Kayode Babayomi, the African Action Congress (AAC) chairman, found himself in police custody while carrying out election duties on Saturday.
ChroniclesReporters uncovered that Babayomi was apprehended and held at Sanyo police station while stationed at Ward one, Unit 15, J Nissi area.
The incident appears to be part of a larger scheme, as reports reveal deliberate discrepancies in the electoral process. At the same polling unit, the Oyo State electoral commission allegedly supplied incorrect ballot papers, compounding the chaos.
Earlier, SaharaReporters highlighted delays in the commencement of the Oyo State local government elections, prompting frustration among voters. Many polling units, including those in Ward 7 of Ibadan North Local Government, were devoid of electoral officers even hours after the scheduled 8 am start time.
At Polling Unit 7, only two police officers were present, raising concerns about security and the fairness of the election.
In Ward 8, Ojo, Wesley reported a shortage of election ballot boxes, with only 36 out of the expected 92 boxes delivered by the observation time. Residents like Ayinde voiced dismay, drawing comparisons to previous election delays.
Further exacerbating the situation, voter lists at polling units were found to be erroneous, mismatched with their corresponding wards. One concerned resident pointed out the mix-up at Sunnyday School 2 ward, where the voter list for Sunnyday School 1 was erroneously displayed.
The AAC chairman in Oyo State expressed disappointment over the electoral body’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the importance of citizens defending their democratic rights amidst the challenges.
Despite attempts to seek clarification from the Oyo State Electoral Commission, communication efforts remained unsuccessful.
The delays and irregularities cast a shadow over the integrity of the electoral process, raising doubts about citizens’ ability to exercise their democratic rights effectively.”