Ekiti poll: Aircraft with suspicious cargo in Akure

Two planes landed at the Akure Airport bearing an unknown cargo, believed to have something to do with Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State. The planes arrived before noon and one of those at the airport was a minister who watched as the cargo was offloaded into a bullion van marked BL271AGN. Sources said the content of the cargo might have been cash which a political party wanted to use to influence voters, but a political pressure group raised the alarm over an alleged 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, the group 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. It also alleged that a meeting to fine-tune the rigging plan was held at an Akure hotel on Monday before the items were brought in yesterday. The EYEM President said if security agents were really out to 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 described the allegation as an “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.”