Contrary to expectations, Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo was generally peaceful, as far as Akure, the state capital and Ondo Central Senatorial District, in general, are concerned. Voter turnout was considerably high.
Electoral officials got the polling units one time; about one hour before the commencement of voting. Voters were equally eager to vote for the candidates of their choice; in many areas visited by our correspondent, particularly in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas, the electorates even got the polling units ahead of electoral officials.
In the areas monitored in the two local governments, one correspondent witnessed only one attempt of ballot box snatching. This happened at Unit 17, Ward 9, Fadeyi Street, Oshinle, Akure. As officials were getting ready to start counting the ballot, hoodlums swooped on the ballot box and attempted to carry it away from the scene. It was security operatives at the scene, particularly the police and Civil Defence officials that intercepted the move and promptly called in soldiers to secure the area.
No arrest was made, as the hoodlums took to their heels. The vote was eventually counted and the PDP won the polling unit with 75 votes, followed by the APC which got 66 votes. AD got 23 votes. From the trend of results witnessed so far in Akure generally, it looks like a straight fight between the PDP and the APC.
An observer monitoring the election, Mr Nelson Ekujumi of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), who spoke to our reporter midway into the exercise, gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the organisation of the election so far. He said: “So far, I have visited close to 50 polling units and my observations are that: INEC personnel arrived at their polling units on time; by 7.12am most of them were already at their polling units.
“I started from somewhere around Fiwasaiye Girls Secondary School and I have gone as far as Owo Road. I noticed that in many places voters were at the polling units before the arrival of INEC officials.
“There is a good presence of security men at polling stations; we have an average of four to five personnel at each polling unit. Happily enough I have not seen any military presence anywhere.
“I have observed that voting and accreditation started simultaneously at 8.00am at most polling units and so far everything is going on smoothly.”
Ekujumi said the turnout was okay, but can be better. He added: “I expect more people will come as time goes on.”
In the capital, a lot of indigenes were eager to vote. People have been at the polling units as early as 7.00am, and in many cases, they have had to wait for the officials. The enthusiasm of the people is understandable: one of their sons, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, is standing for the governorship election. Their determination is embodied in the enthusiasm of 100-year-old Mrs Aladeti Aladetiimi, who was the first to cast her vote at Unit 2, Ward11 at about 8.10am. Aladetimi said she took the trouble to come out to vote because an Akure indigene is contesting.
There were numerous cases of Card Reader failure to read the fingerprints of some voters, particularly the elderly ones. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Unit 9, Ward 2, to monitor the exercise, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Ondo, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, said the situation was under control and that all registered voters would be given the opportunity to vote.
The PDP flag bearer, Mr Eyitayo Jegede was in the queue for 45 minutes before he cast his ballot. He was accompanied by his wife.
After casting his vote, Jegede decried the widespread inability of Card Reader machines to read the fingerprints of some voters, saying it may be a deliberate ploy to disenfranchise some voters. He said: “I have had discussions with the Resident Electoral Commisioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje; I have informed him that a good number of the Card Readers are not functioning. I hope it is not a scheme to prevent people from voting.
“I hope that they would allow every registered voter on the queue to vote. I have been on the queue for the past 45 minutes. I give glory to God that I have been to participate; I have voted, I have voted for the people.
“We have told our people that we are going to win this election.” The people of Akure are united in their bid to make Jegede the next governor of the state.
The Senator representing Ondo Central in the upper legislative chamber, Tayo Alasoadura, commended the orderliness and smooth conduct of the election, saying it is a sign that Nigeria’s democracy has evolved. He said the way voters conducted themselves without rancour is gratifying.
