A viral video showing residents of Ekiti State scrambling for loaves of bread thrown from a campaign vehicle linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has ignited widespread debate on social media ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The footage, which has attracted significant online attention, captures scores of residents running after a moving campaign convoy as bread is tossed from the back of a branded truck. The convoy, reportedly associated with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election campaign, was seen travelling along a dusty road while men, women, and children chased after the distributed items.
Campaign materials displayed on the truck featured messages such as “Hope 2026” and “Vote,” alongside images promoting the incumbent governor’s candidacy in the June 20 gubernatorial election.
In the video, residents can be seen rushing to collect the loaves as they landed on the roadside, with some observers describing the scenes as a reflection of the economic hardship facing many communities.
The incident has generated sharply divided reactions online. Critics condemned the distribution method, arguing that it was degrading and highlighted the vulnerability of citizens amid widespread poverty. Others questioned the ethics of distributing food items in the final days of an election campaign, suggesting that such actions blur the line between humanitarian assistance and political patronage.
Supporters, however, defended the gesture, describing it as a legitimate outreach effort aimed at assisting residents facing economic challenges. Some argued that the distribution of food and other relief items has long been a feature of grassroots political engagement across the country.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC is seeking a second term in office and is among several candidates contesting the election. His main challenger is Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although political observers have generally viewed the incumbent as the frontrunner due to the APC’s strong political structure in the state and support from key political stakeholders.
The controversy comes amid intensified campaign activities across Ekiti State, where political parties have been mobilising supporters through rallies, town hall engagements, and voter outreach programmes. Reports from the campaign season have also highlighted the distribution of food items and household essentials carrying campaign branding.
With voting set to commence across the state’s 16 local government areas, the viral video has further fueled conversations about campaign conduct, voter influence, and the broader socio-economic realities shaping political participation.
Electoral authorities and security agencies have repeatedly urged political actors and their supporters to adhere to electoral guidelines and maintain peaceful conduct throughout the election period, following the signing of a peace accord by participating candidates.
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Source: Gist core
