GOVERNOR Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing Ondo State governorship election, has cast his vote at his polling unit in Obe Nla, ward 4, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The governor arrived at the polling unit early on Saturday, November 16, accompanied by his aides and security personnel.
Addressing journalists after voting, Aiyedatiwa expressed satisfaction with the process and urged residents to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic duty.
Voting commenced promptly across several polling units in the area, with election officials arriving on time.
Accreditation and voting started around 8:30 a.m., following the guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ICIR reporters on the ground in the state also observed heavy security presence in the area.
Reports from other parts of the state so far indicate that materials were distributed promptly, and voter turnout has been impressive despite earlier concerns over potential security threats.
The ICIR reports that 18 candidates initially contested the Ondo governorship election but three withdrew from the race.
However, the race is largely seen as a fierce contest between the incumbent Aiyedatiwa, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi., a former deputy governor
Both candidates hail from the southern senatorial district of the state.
The INEC confirmed that 1,757,205 registered voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are eligible to participate in the election, conducted across 3,933 polling units in the state’s 18 local government areas.
The commission has also emphasised its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible poll.
Aiyedatiwa’s bid for first time as governor
Aiyedatiwa is seeking election on the platform of the APC, after becoming the state governor in December 2023, following the death of his principal Akeredolu from protracted prostate cancer.
The poll is expected to close later in the afternoon, with vote counting to commence immediately at the polling units.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism that many of his supporters would turn out at the polls to cast their votes for his party, hoping that the ‘large turnout’ during the campaign would translate into votes.
Commenting on INEC’s conduct, Aiyedatiwa said election materials arrived early at his polling unit, adding that information available to him also indicated that election materials had reached other parts of the state.
“Information at my disposal revealed that other locations also have materials, at least those that have been brought to my knowledge but I can’t speak across the entire state yet.
“But as we progress, we will begin to see and get more information. From what I have seen here today, the INEC officials, I was told, arrived yesterday at the RAC centre and they started early.
“As you can see at past 9 am, I have cast my vote, and I am not the only one that has cast vote, some other eligible voters have cast their votes before I arrived.”
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M