Voters in Ondo State, Nigeria, are going to the polls today, November 16, to elect a new governor in a tightly contested off-cycle election. The exercise, organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been orderly in most polling units.
Election officials arrived on time at most of the state’s 3,933 polling units. For example, by 7:40 a.m., voters at Bethlehem Junction in Ondo West Local Government Area were seen verifying their names on the voter register. In other locations, such as Akoko South-West and All Saints Grammar School in Ondo West, accreditation and voting commenced promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, cast his vote early at Polling Unit 05, Ward 4 in Ilaje Local Government Area. He said he was satisfied with the process describing it as transparent. Mr Aiyedatiwa commended INEC for its efficiency and the security agencies for maintaining peace. He said he was feeling optimistic about his chances based on his administration’s achievements in the last one year.
Security and Voter Turnout
However, security dominated the space, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, and Civil Defence Corps stationed at strategic points throughout the state.
Streets in Akure, the state capital, is largely deserted as voters adhered to the transportation restrictions imposed by government.
However, in one case, DSS operatives apprehended a suspected vote-buyer. The individual was found to possess two bags of cash, allegedly intended to induce voters. The incident may indicate a widespread issue of vote-buying occurring undetected in other locations.
It is not immediately clear which party the suspect is affiliated with.
Candidates and Voter Statistics
While many polling units experienced a smooth start, technical issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were nevertheless reported in some areas. One such case was at Unit 04, Ward 7 in Akoko West. Voting was delayed there due to a device malfunction. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demanding INEC to immediately fix the problem to avoid disenfranchising voters.
The election features 17 candidates, with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC and Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the PDP seen as the leading contenders. Other front running candidates include Dr. Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party and Olugbenga Edema of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Of the 2,053,061 registered voters in Ondo State, 1,757,205 collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 86.5% of eligible voters. In Nigeria, you cannot vote without presenting your PVC for accreditation.
Observers anticipate a close contest, particularly in Ondo South, where all the major candidates hail from, due to an informal governorship zoning agreement there.
Calls for Peace and Fairness
Yesterday, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for a peaceful election and urged all stakeholders to abide by the rules. He said Ondo State was yet another test of Nigeria’s enduring democracy, which must succeed.
The election is expected to conclude by 6:00 p.m., and results will be collated at 222 Ward Collation Centers across the state. The final tally will be made at Akure, the state’s capital.
As voting continues, there is hope that the process will remain calm, providing an example to the rest of the country of a free, fair, and credible process that reflects the people’s will.
The last off-cycle election in Nigeria occurred in neighboring Edo State on September 21. The ruling APC’s candidate, now Governor Monday Okpebholo, won. The winner was announced by the evening of Sunday, September 22.
If the process in Ondo continues in the same manner, we could know the outcome of this election by tomorrow, Sunday, November 17.
JolibaLive News will provide updates as events unfold.
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