Ogun Polling Unit Stays Empty as Electoral Officers’ Arrival Remains Uncertain
The local government elections in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have been marked by delays in the arrival of electoral officers, materials, and voters.
Our correspondent observed that at about 8:45 a.m polling units in the Obafemi Owode local government area of the state was deserted.
While heavy duty security operatives took over major roads in the state, not less than two were seen at the polling units.
Likewise, the Ward 10 Town Hall in Ewekoro Local Government Area is experiencing a delay in the arrival of electoral officers, leaving voters stranded.
As at 9:30 when our reporter got to the Obafemi Owode local government secretariat, sensitive materials for the election are still been distributed to electoral officers.
Ondo Decides 2024: Aiyedatiwa cast vote
Governor of Ondo State and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has cast his vote at the ongoing election.
Aiyedatiwa cast his vote at Polling Unit 6, Ward 4 in Obenla, Ilaje local government area of the State.
Aiyedatiwa is contesting to retain the governorship seat in the off-cycle election against 16 other candidates from different political parties, including former governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party.
It is worth noting that Aiyedatiwa, who served as deputy governor under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, assumed leadership following his principal’s passing on December 27, 2023.
INEC officials have started setting up at Ward 4, Obenla community, Ilaje LGA, and voters are already out to check for their names on the voter list.
As at 7:18 am in Ward 8, PU15 & PU16, All Saints Grammer School, Oka, Ondo West, Ondo state, INEC officials have started setting up.
Ondo Decides 2024: INEC officials move voting materials to polling units in Irele LG
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced moving voting materials to polling units in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This is in preparation for the commencement of the governorship election.
At the Registration Area(Ward 8 ) in Irele Local Government Area, INEC officials are moving materials to various voting centres in the ward.
Residents of Ondo State will file out on Saturday to elect the next governor, 11 months after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicates that 18 governorship candidates will be participating in the election.
The candidates include:
Falaiye Abraham Ajibola (A), Akinuli Fred Omolere (AA), Ajayi Adekunle Oluwaseyi (AAC), Nejo Adeyemi (ADC), Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel (ADP), Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan (APC), Popoola Olatunji Tunde (APGA), Ogunfeyimi Isaac Kolawole (APM), Fadoju Amos Babatunde (APP), Ebiseni Olusola Nehemiah (LP), Olugbemiga Omogbemi Edema (NNPP), Ajaunoko Funmilayo Jenyo (NRM), Ajayi Alfred Agboola (PDP), Alli Babatunde Francis (PRP), Akingboye Benson Bamidele (SDP), Adegoke Kehinde Paul (YP), Akinmurele John Otitoloju (YPP), Mimiko Olubansile Abbas (ZLP).
While residents decide on the next governor, NIGPOST highlights the four top candidates going into Saturday’s poll:
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Aiyedatiwa took over the mantle of leadership in the state following Akeredolu’s death in 2023.
The former deputy governor hails from Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. While Akeredolu was ill and battling cancer, Aiyedatiwa stepped in as Acting Governor.
In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as Ondo State governor following Akeredolu’s death.
In his campaign manifesto, Aiyedatiwa emphasized security, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, youth, education, and women empowerment.
Agboola Ajayi – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Ajayi was the deputy governor to Akeredolu during his first tenure before their eventual fallout.
Following the fallout, Ajayi joined the Zenith Labour Party to contest in the last election but lost.
He later defected to the PDP and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
The 54-year-old focuses on security, agriculture, health, education, industry, marine economic development, rural development, environment, youth, sports, social welfare, women development, and civil service reform.
Olorunfemi Festus– Labour Party (LP)
Barely 24 to the polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission reinstated Olorunfemi Festus to replace Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for today’s (Saturday) governorship election in Ondo State, following a ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The decision came after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upturned a judgment by the Federal High Court, which had on September 27, 2024, ordered INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the LP’s candidate.
Abbas Mimiko – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Abbas is the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The medical psychiatrist has pledged to focus on a seven-point agenda, including food security, potable water, wealth creation, education, a mass housing scheme, health, and peace and security.
Meanwhile, NIGPOST will provide situation reports from the state as events unfold.
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