EFCC Vows to Arrest Voters Who Chased Operatives From Ekiti Polling Unit

Drama as Ekiti Voters Chase EFCC Operatives Out of Polling Unit

EFCC Vows to Arrest Voters Who Chased Operatives From Ekiti Polling Unit

The anti-graft agency says the incident at Polling Unit 10, Ward B in Iyin-Ekiti during the 2026 governorship election was an unlawful attack on its mandate and a dangerous precedent that must not be allowed to stand.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is actively tracking voters who confronted and chased away its operatives from a polling unit during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

Officials of the commission who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday described the action as unlawful and warned that those involved could face legal consequences. The development has sparked concerns within the agency over the safety of its operatives and the ability of law enforcement personnel to effectively monitor compliance with electoral laws.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Polling Unit 10, Ward B, in Iyin-Ekiti, where EFCC operatives had arrived to monitor and curb vote-buying — a common electoral malpractice that has plagued Nigerian elections for years. However, their presence provoked resistance from voters, who confronted the operatives and demanded they leave. A viral video circulating on social media showed angry youths chanting in Yoruba and escorting the EFCC officials out of the polling area. Some voters questioned the presence of the anti-graft officials and challenged their deployment, insisting there was no evidence of vote-buying at the centre. The confrontation created a tense atmosphere before the operatives withdrew peacefully. Voting continued without disruption after their departure.

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One EFCC official, speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, said the commission views the voters’ actions as an “attack on its lawful mandate” and a dangerous precedent that could embolden others to obstruct law enforcement during future elections if left unchecked. “We consider the action unacceptable and unlawful. The commission will not condone criminality. We are on the lookout for those involved,” the official said. The official further stated that the action of those voters has set a dangerous precedent and that if such conduct is allowed to continue, it could embolden others to obstruct law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate assignments during elections. He added that the commission would seriously look into the matter and ensure that the actors in that scenario are located, stressing that people cannot simply decide to frustrate officials of the commission who are carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The commission made it clear that it would not be intimidated in its efforts to combat electoral offences and vote-buying. The official insisted that vote-buying is wrong and that the commission would not condone it, adding that they would not allow anybody to intimidate them or succumb to any form of harassment. He further stated that the EFCC would continue to fight vote-buying and sanitise the electoral process, emphasising that the responsibility has been entrusted to them and they will not abandon it because of threats or resistance from any quarter.

The commission had deployed operatives to multiple locations across Ekiti State on election day. A separate team of about ten operatives visited Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s polling unit — Polling Unit 003, Ward 06, Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area — arriving around 9:05 a.m. to monitor activities. No disruption or arrests were reported at that location. The incident at Iyin-Ekiti, however, has become the focal point of the commission’s post-election review, raising questions about the safety of EFCC operatives during election monitoring duties.

The confrontation occurred amid widespread allegations of vote-buying across various parts of the state. According to reports, in Aramoko Ekiti — the hometown of the incumbent governor’s mother — multiple voters openly admitted to receiving cash payments to influence their choices. At least five voters confirmed receiving 10,000 Naira each from party agents to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress. The EFCC has been actively involved in monitoring elections nationwide as part of efforts to curb financial inducements and other practices that undermine the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

The EFCC is now working to identify and potentially prosecute the individuals involved in the Iyin-Ekiti incident. While the commission has not yet made any arrests, officials insist that the matter is being treated with seriousness and that those identified will face legal consequences. Efforts to get the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.