A winner is set to emerge from the Ondo State Governorship Election after the Independent National Electoral Commission uploaded 98 per cent of results on its Result Viewing Portal on Saturday night.
The electoral commission as of 10.55pm had successfully transmitted results from 3,875 out of 3,933 polling units where the elections were held in the state, thus paving the way for the collation of results.
The governorship election was, however, marred by widespread vote-buying, as party loyalists distributed money to voters at different locations close to polling units across the state.
Ahead of the election day, INEC had announced that no fewer than 17 political parties would participate in the poll, with 1,793,914 voters expected to determine the fate of the candidates.
Many observers had anticipated a direct contest between the incumbent governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress and Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party.
To bolster security, the Nigerian Police Force deployed 22,239 officers, while the Federal Road Safety Corps sent 1,500 personnel, along with 25 patrol vehicles, seven tow trucks, and six ambulances.
Additionally, 6,000 officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and agents from the Department of State Services were mobilised for the exercise.
Low turnout of voters was reported in many polling units, as the election was concluded in most units by 2pm.
There was, however, a significant turnout of voters at the National Boat Jetty in Igbonla, in Ilaje Local Government Area.
As promised by INEC, there was early arrival of voting materials in almost all the local government areas across the state, as ad hoc staff arrived before 8am in readiness for the exercise.
Officials commenced the distribution of materials to various units at the Registration Area Centres with Polling Unit Officers and members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed for the election were on the ground to get electoral materials.
Policemen were also seen by our correspondents accompanying the materials and officials to various units from the registration area centres.
An INEC official told DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS that the idea was to ensure that the election started as scheduled, noting that it was the only way the process could go on without delay.
The official said, “We started the distribution of materials on time and our polling unit officers left early. Hopefully, the election can start as scheduled. No room for delay.”
At Oke Imikan, Open Space, Alade Ward 02, Idanre, the first voter cast his vote at exactly 8:41am.
Before the commencement of voting, many voters had stormed the polling centre to check the register displayed on the wall.
Aiyedatiwa, Ajayi win polling units
By 8.30am, over 50 voters were already in the queue awaiting their turn to vote.
INEC ad hoc staff at the polling unit earlier addressed the voters on the procedures, urging them to properly fold their ballot papers to avoid exposing the candidate they voted for.
The state Governor and APC candidate, Aiyedatiwa, cast his vote at his polling unit in Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, Ilaje LGA at 8.48am.
Aiyedatiwa, who was escorted by his security aides, arrived at his polling unit around 8:46 am.
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, Aiyedatiwa commended INEC officials for arriving early at the various polling units with voting materials.
He described the exercise as well coordinated while commending the electoral umpire for its efficiency, especially as observed in his ward.
The governor also expressed optimism that he would win the governorship election, saying that it would be a big celebration for his party at the end of the election.
The PDP candidate, Ajayi, alongside his wife, arrived at the polling booth at around 10:36am and were accredited at about 10:45am for voting.
Ajayi, speaking with newsmen at his Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, accused INEC of bias, saying he received reports of delays in the commencement of voting in parts of the state.
Ajayi said it took almost 10 minutes before he could cast his vote and described the act as an attempt to frustrate voters.
“Why are security personnel stationed so close to my polling unit? They are intimidating voters. The distance between voters and military officers is uncomfortably close,” he added.
Ajayi also alleged that the election was being compromised.
The APC governorship candidate, Aiyedatiwa, won his unit, polling 128 votes to defeat Ajayi of the PDP who scored just three votes.
