Ondo LG poll peaceful, free, fair – Stakeholders

…laud election process
By Tola Gbadamosi, Jubril Bada, Bukola Olamona, Adedotun Ajayi, Kayode Olabanji & Adeboye Ado
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Stakeholders in the Saturday, January 18, 2025, Local Government elections in Ondo State have applauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
In separate interviews with journalists shortly after casting their votes in their respective units, the stakeholders commended the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), for conducting a free, fair and peaceful poll.
They equally lauded the security agencies for maintaining law and order during the exercise.
The chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for Akure South Local Government Area, Dr. Gbenga Fasua, said that the election was conducted in a calm and orderly atmosphere.
He spoke after casting his vote at Ward 10, Unit 5, Oshodi Market ll, Akure South council area.
Fasua explained that voters across Ondo State, particularly in Akure, the state capital, demonstrated their commitment to democratic participation during the elections.
The process, according to him, widely described as peaceful and transparent, showcased the state’s readiness to uphold electoral integrity.
He pointed out that the early reports highlighted a steady influx of voters at polling units, some of which had witnessed active participation as early as 8 a.m, noting that despite the usual tendency for voters to arrive later in the day to avoid long queues, the turnout remained promising.
Reflecting on the process, Fasua remarked that, “The situation seems fair. There’s no violence, and everyone is following the laid-down rules of the exercise. Even in my polling unit, people have been here since early morning, exercising their franchise.
“The excitement surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) was palpable across the state. At every mention of the party’s name, the energy among voters was likened to “a lion roaring in the jungle,” underscoring its dominance in the political landscape.”
He emphasized that the APC’s achievements under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had resonated deeply with the electorate. “Across the 18 local governments, the government’s infrastructural programmes and policies for 2025 have earned the people’s trust. The public’s expression speaks for itself.”
The absence of certain political parties in the race was attributed to what some described as their fear of replicating past electoral failures. “Some parties withdrew because they fidgeted. They’ve seen how massively people turned out for APC in the past and didn’t want to face another embarrassment,” the chairmanship candidate added.
The Weekend Hope gathered that security was tightened at all polling units visited across the state, with operatives stationed at strategic points, including the roundabout at ‘A’ Division–Oba Osupa Road, Sacred Heart Cathedral Church Roundabout, Ondo Road, NEPA Roundabout, among other areas, to maintain law and order during the exercise.
Security agencies on duty included the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, among others.
Meanwhile, the exercise in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area, commenced amidst initial hitches, as delay in arrival of some electoral materials disrupted early voting.
Despite the prompt arrival of security operatives and some officials of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), the exercise started later than scheduled.
At several polling units, voter turnout varied. While some units recorded a significant number of voters, others witnessed low participation. Residents were seen trickling into polling units to cast their votes.
Meanwhile, some food vendors used the period to make brisk sales near the polling units, just as a few shops operated partially.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were present to maintain order.
Miss Helen Ajewole, the Presiding Officer at Ward 9, Unit 7, attributed the late start to logistic delays.
“Our movement from the local government secretariat at Itaogbolu to Oba-Ile caused the delay,” she explained.
At Ward 9, Unit 9, Mr. Martins Fagoroye expressed satisfaction with the turnout. “The turnout is impressive so far. Many voters have already cast their votes and left, and I believe more will still come out,” he said.
In the same ward, Mr. Adesoye Fagoroyo, a council chairmanship aspirant, cast his vote and commended the peaceful conduct of the election. “The process has been smooth, and I am sure of my victory as the sole candidate in this ward,” he stated confidently.
The chairmanship candidate of the APC in Akure North Local Government Area, Johnson Ogunbolude, expressed confidence in his prospects of winning the council election.
After casting his vote at Moferere Ward 8, Unit 2 in Iju/Itaogbolu, Ogunbolude commended the Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in the election.
Speaking to journalists, Ogunbolude praised the fairness of the electoral process, attributing it to the Governor’s commitment to transparent governance.
“I want to thank Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for giving everyone a plain ground to contest freely. This is the kind of leadership that strengthens democracy and inspires confidence in the electoral process. It’s evident that the government is focused on fairness and inclusivity, and I am grateful for that,” he said.
The APC candidate reaffirmed his confidence in the election’s outcome, citing the overwhelming support from his constituents.
He promised to deliver effective governance and foster development in Akure North if elected.
Ogunbolude also appealed to his supporters to maintain peace and optimism as the election results are awaited.
In Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, reports indicated low turnout of voters.
The election, which began in the early hours of Saturday, January 18, was conducted under a calm atmosphere.
The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) ensured the prompt distribution of election materials to all polling units ahead of the poll.
At several wards and polling units visited, voters began the accreditation process as early as 8 a.m. However, turnout remained relatively low. At Unit 18, Ayeka Igbodigo Ward in Igodan, the process was described as peaceful, with voters participating in the exercise without hitches.
Speaking to journalists, the APC chairmanship candidate, for Okitipupa Local Government Area, Andrew Soga Ogunsakin, commended the election process, noting that voting went on peacefully.
He thanked voters for the maturity displayed during the election process which has been done without any conflict.
Mr. Emiloju Smart from Igbotako in Okitipupa Constituency 2 acknowledged the participation of residents at Polling Units 1 and 2, stating that the turnout was encouraging and demonstrated the people’s commitment to their civic duty.
Similarly, Omoniyi Emmanuel Morakinyo commended the efficiency of ODIEC staff, who reportedly arrived at polling units as early as 7 a.m. to commence the exercise.
He noted that the election in his polling unit had been peaceful and devoid of any disputes. Morakinyo highlighted the significance of the election, describing it as a step toward revitalising political participation at the local government level in Ondo State.
Similarly, residents of Ayegunle, Ward 6, Unit 6, in Akoko South West Local Government Area turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the council poll.
The Weekend Hope gathered that electoral officers, who arrived at various polling units around 8 a.m, were accompanied by security operatives to ensure a seamless election process.
One of the electoral officers, who preferred anonymity, disclosed: “People came out to vote today, and there is no form of violence. Even we have almost exhausted the ballot papers because of the large turnout.”
In Ayegunle, Ward 6, Unit 8, one of the voters, Sunday Victoria, hailed the electoral umpire, describing the process as flawless.
“We should thank INEC (ODIEC) for organising this kind of violence-free election. We came out to vote without intimidation.”
At Akungba, Ward 13, Unit 6, a voter who identified himself as Festus, called on the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission to sustain the good pace at which the election was being organised.