THE off-cycle governorship election is underway in Ondo State today, Saturday, November 16, with voters turnout impressive.
In some polling units monitored by The ICIR, election officials and materials arrived early, and voters were accredited as early as 8:30 a.m.
Voting also began shortly afterwards in several locations following the accreditation of some voters.
Reports indicate that the exercise began in many parts of the state as scheduled.
The process has been relatively peaceful in most parts of the state.
Some presiding officers sensitised voters and party agents on how to conduct themselves before the commencement of voting.
Priority voting was given to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women in most polling units observed.
Before the elections, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) instructed its officers to ensure the safety of the electorate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, and electoral materials, given the political violence reported in Idanre Local Government Area (LGA) a few days before the poll.
The inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, assured the state residents of extensive security deployments and strict enforcement measures to ensure peace across the state before, during and after the election.
In a statement released on November 10, Egbetokun outlined the deployment of police personnel and specialised units to all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units in Ondo State.
In addition to officers on the ground, the IGP announced plans to deploy helicopters for aerial patrols and gunboats to monitor waterways, enhancing security coverage across all terrains.
He also warned political thugs and any individuals aiming to disrupt the process, vowing that “they will face the full force of the law.”
A total of 1,757,205 voters who collected permanent voter’s cards are expected to cast their ballots in the 3,933 polling units across the 203 wards in the state’s 18 LGAs.
According to INEC, 18 political parties are featuring candidates. However, The ICIR reported that three candidates withdrew from the race.
The Appeal Court also sacked the Labour Party candidate in the election, Olusola Ebiseni, on Thursday, November 14.
The leading contenders in the poll are the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
They are both from the southern senatorial region of the state.
The ICIR reports that Agboola was deputy to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu between 2017 and 2021.
Following an unresolved feud between him and Akeredolu, the late governor replaced him with Aiyedatiwa while recontesting for the governorship office in 2020.
Aiyedatiwa succeeded the late governor on December 27, 2023, after his principal passed on after a prolonged illness.
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