…says election peaceful, orderly; hails stakeholders

• PDP’s Ajayi kicks, alleges BVAS failure
• Celebrations rend APC camp, as parties await INEC declaration

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo, Adedotun Ajayi

As voting ended in Saturday’s Ondo State Governorship election and results began to trickle in, incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shot into an early lead.

Aiyedatiwa floored his major rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, thrashing the opposition party’s flagbearer in his Igbo Ward 4 PU 5 in Ilaje LGA by 128 votes to only three votes.

Similarly, in Polling Unit 007, Jowiri Grammar School, Ajagba ward 2, Irele LGA, Aiyedatiwa again floored Ajayi, as the ruling APC garnered 102 votes against PDP’s 74 votes.

Aiyedatiwa’s APC maintained its winning streak in the election polling 101 votes against PDP’s 27 in PU006, Ogunmade/Umoro compound, Ajagba ward 2, Irele LGA.

The PDP governorship candidate, however, made some impressive showing by beating the APC in his PU004, Apoi ward 2, Kiribo, Ese-Odo LGA, where he polled 194 votes to defeat the ruling party, which got only three votes.

In all, the indications are strong that Governor Aiyedatiwa is also leading other contenders, including Olorunfemi Festus of the Labour Party (LP), and Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Results from some other local government areas such as Owo, Ilaje, Ose, Odigbo, Ese-Odo and Irele also indicated that the APC is leading other political parties.

Aiyedatiwa’s deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, who is his running mate, also won in his own polling unit.

His party, APC, polled 209 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which got only 11 votes.

Adelami voted at Unit 16, Igboroko 2, Ward 03, Ahmadiya Grammar School, Isley, Owo. He cast his vote at about 9:40am.

After exercising his civic right, the deputy governor commended the process, saying everything went smoothly, particularly in his polling unit.

Results so far released from other wards further affirmed that the Governor is maintaining an early lead.

This development has thrown the APC’s camp in the State into a celebration mood.

The people of the state had on Saturday filed out in their large numbers to elect a new Governor who will pilot the affairs of the State in the next four years.

As early as 7 am, prospective voters began to troop out to exercise their franchise at their various polling units across the 203 political wards in the state.

The Hope gathered that there was heavy presence of security personnel across polling units, even as fierce-looking and heavily armed security operatives patrolled the streets to ensure law and order during the polls.

Equally, there were surveillance helicopters hovering over the three senatorial districts of the state to further ensure peaceful election and protect the lives and property of the citizenry during the conduct of the election.

However, the mood generally across the State was calm and peaceful, as voters went out to cast their ballots without any form of intimidation or harassment.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the organisation and efficiency at the polling station, noting that the process was both orderly and transparent.

Aiyedatiwa arrived at his Polling Unit around 8:40 a.m. and cast his vote at exactly 8:50 a.m.

He said, “It’s encouraging to see the exercise going smoothly here; I am hopeful that this is reflective of the experience across the state.”

The Governor also addressed concerns over accessibility for voters, urging that all eligible voters be granted a fair opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.

“I want to call on all officials and security personnel to ensure that every supporter and citizen is allowed to cast their vote freely and without obstruction,” he added.

The Governor praised the security agencies for their effective handling of potential threats during the election process, highlighting that Ondo State remains one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

He noted, “We have consistently conducted peaceful elections over the years, and I am confident this one will not be different.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing confidence in the transparency of the process. While he acknowledged the timely arrival of officials at his polling unit, he stated he could not confirm the situation in other locations.

The Governor expressed confidence in the outcome, indicating his belief that his administration’s achievements in the past 10 months and commitment to the people of Ondo State would resonate with voters.

Jubril Moibi, Abaderun Orire and Abayomi Florence, who were among those who cast their ballots at the unit, praised the voting process. They expressed satisfaction with the smooth and efficient procedure, commending INEC for a job well done.

The voters appreciated the ease of casting their votes, citing it as a positive experience that reinforced their faith in the democratic process.

Also, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, voted at his Igboroko 2, Ward 3, Unit 16 in Owo Local Government Area.

At about 9:40a.m, Dr Adelami joined a queue of voters waiting to be accredited and thereafter was on line alongside members of his immediate family to cast his vote.

Speaking with newsmen after exercising his civic duty, the deputy governor asked residents of Owo and the people of the state to come out to vote.

“Your vote is your power. I urge you all to come out to vote. In so doing, you will be contributing to the promotion of good governance and a greater Ondo State,” Adelami charged.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also cast his vote at Unit 17, Ward 3 Okeagbe, Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state.

In the meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Agboola Ajayi, has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing governorship election, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of compromising the electoral process.

Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote in Kiribo, Ese Odo Local Government Area, Agboola decried alleged inefficiency of the process, stating it took him over ten minutes to vote due to capturing machine malfunctioning.

According to him, the delays were widespread and affected many of his followers and supporters across the state.

“This is not the kind of election Ondo people deserve,” Agboola stated.

“The INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) and his team have shown gross incompetence. If the process cannot be handled professionally, how can we trust the outcome?”

The former deputy governor, therefore, called for the immediate resignation of INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

“To save the sanity and credibility of our electoral process, Professor Yakubu Mahmood must step down immediately,” Agboola declared.

The PDP candidate emphasized that fair and transparent elections remained crucial for sustaining democracy, and any lapses in the process should be addressed promptly to ensure a legitimate outcome.

However, the ongoing election process has been widely regarded as fair and peaceful across the 18 local government areas, with only a few reports of disruptions in some locations.

The election is primarily a contest between the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Abayomi, have commended the smooth and peaceful conduct of the governorship election in the state.

During their monitoring visits in company with other Federal security agencies, both officials described the process as seamless and free of violence.

The monitoring team visited various polling units, including: Ward 05, Unit 04 Ebenezer Primary School II;Ward 05, Unit 05 Ebenezer Primary School ll;
Sacred Heart Primary School;Ward 02, Units 09 and ward 02, unit 10 Sacred Heart Primary School; Ward 11, unit 025 St Peter Pry School all in Akure Local Government Area.

Others are Oba-Ile (Ward 9, Unit 6) in Akure North Local Government and Ward 9, Unit 10 Ifedore Local Government Area.

Mrs. Babalola expressed satisfaction with the early commencement of voting at polling units, emphasizing that this met INEC’s commitment to prompt service.

She noted a commendable turnout of voters and mentioned two instances of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) malfunction, which were swiftly addressed.

Mr. Abayomi highlighted the effectiveness of the enforced vehicular movement restriction, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere.

He urged residents to continue adhering to electoral guidelines and expressed hope for sustained peace throughout the process.

Both officials praised the coordinated deployment of security personnel, which played a key role in ensuring a smooth election.

Election observers also lauded the peaceful conduct of voters and the professionalism of officials during the ongoing polls at Ward 1, Unit 18, Idi-Mango, Old Aponmu road, Akure.

The exercise commenced on a positive note, with election officials arriving promptly at 7:30 a.m. and accreditation beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Voters turned out in large numbers, expressing satisfaction with the seamless process.

Speaking on the conduct, an Independent Observer, Mr. Kayode Akinloye, remarked that the election has been peaceful.

“Officials arrived on time, and the electorate demonstrating commendable orderliness.”

Echoing similar sentiments, another observer, Mrs. Folasade Adeusi, highlighted the absence of malpractices, stating, “The election has been free and fair, with no incidents of thuggery reported.”

Party representatives also expressed their satisfaction. Mr. Oyelade Mathew, Secretary of the APC in the ward, commended the professionalism of the ad-hoc staff.

“The officials are well-trained and handling the process admirably,” he noted.

A PDP party agent affirmed that the exercise was proceeding smoothly as of the time of this report.

Security personnel were present in adequate numbers to ensure orderliness, further contributing to the calm atmosphere at the polling unit.

Some other observers and stakeholders who spoke with The Hope also described the process as a significant step towards strengthening democratic practices in the region