Heavy security as 1,793,914 Ondo voters decide

There is heavy security presence in Akure, the Ondo State capital and other adjoining towns as electorates prepare to elect a new Governor.

The choices before Ondo electorates are Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and Hon Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Out of 2,053,061 registered voters in the State, a total of 1,793,914 electorates who collected their Permanent Voter Cards are expected to cast their votes on Saturday.

This was unlike in the 2020 governorship election when there were 1,478,460 eligible voters in Ondo State.

Checks showed that a total of 58,708 new voters were registered in Ondo State while 3,132 voters transferred their registration into and within Ondo State, while 123 voters transferred their registration within and out of Ondo State.

Sensitive materials for the conduct of the election were distributed to the local government areas under heavy security and closely monitored by party agents.

This is the first election in Ondo State where minimal violence was recorded ahead of the election unlike in previous elections.

There were no reported cases of attack on billboards or clash of supporters during campaigns. It was at Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area, that seven members of the opposition PDP were hospitalised after they were reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs.

To foster any violence during the election, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbedokun deployed 22, 239 policemen to be supported by 8,500 personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Speaking on the security deployment, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the police were prepared to provide level playing ground for all contesting candidates irrespective of party affiliation or status. as well ensured secured environment for successful and peaceful conduct of elections throughout the state.

Alabi said there would be provision of adequate security for election officials and materials from all ”take-off” points to their respective destinations.

He said the police would “Ensure that all participants and other citizens comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2020 as amended and other statute laws of the Federation.

“We will render all necessary assistance to INEC officials to facilitate the discharge of their responsibilities and provide adequate contingency plans to contain any crisis that may directly or indirectly arise before, during or after the conduct of the election.

Alabi said all arrested electoral offenders would be prosecuted accordingly.