Voters in Ondo state will march to the polls today, November 26, to elect a new governor that would take over from Olusegun Mimiko, whose tenure expires in February 2017.
Despite the call for postponement by some of the parties, 28 political parties are set to feature governorship candidates in the election which many expect to be a four-horse race.
Top contenders for Ondo election
Eyitayo Jegede of the state’s ruling PDP, Rotimi Akeredolu of Nigeria’s ruling APC, Olusola Oke of the AD and Olu Agunloye of the SDP are the main challengers.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are on ground for the election.
Agbaje said: “Ad-hoc staff have been trained, stakeholders have been sensitized and security has been mobilized.”
NAIJ.com will bring to you all live reports, news updates and pictures as the day’s event unfolds.
9.45am’ Accreditation exercise and voting at Unit 6 Saint Lukes CAC primary school, Prison quarters, Ajagbule Alaaye in Ward 5, Owo town, Ondo state.
Voters on the queue. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
An elderly woman casting her vote. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
A lady casting her vote. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
INEC officials dishing out instructions to the voters. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
A lady casting her vote. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi
9.40am’ At Ward 09/PU 002 in Oba Ile of Akure North Indicates that Voting is going peacefully. At PU28/04/06/003, Akoko South West. The elderly people are not been assisted by INEC officials.
9.37am’ At PU28/06/04/011,Ijomu/Obanla, Akure South. Voting going peacefully. PWDs and Elderly persons given preference. It has also been reported that vote buying is going on in PU28/06/02/030, GBOGI/ISIKAN I, Akure South by party agents. More security agents needed
9.30am’ At PU28/05/11/002, Owode, Akure North. No provision to assist the elderly so party agents are taking advantage. While at At Isikan/Gbogi 2 ward 3 PU 19 Akure South card reader not reading finger prints reported.Incidence form not filled.
9.25am’ The candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Dr. Olu Agunloye has complained that security personnel are not deployed in some polling units, including his unit where he voted.
Agunloye casts his vote
Agunloye, who voted at Baptist Day School, Erusu/Ikaramu/Ibaramu Ward 10, unit 08 at about 9.25am to cast his vote, however, expressed satisfaction about the turnouts of voters at several polling units.
He said: “From the reports I gathered across the state, the card readers are very efficient, and the voting has been peaceful especially from my area.”
9.20am’ At PU28/17/12/001, Ute Ward, Ose. Voting going on smoothly.While in PU28/05/11/002, Oke-Afa/Owode, Akure North LGA, voters are induced/forced to vote for PDP by party agents.
9.15am’ Party agents have reportedly overwhelmed INEC officials in PU28/03/05/003, Ipe II Ward, Akoko South East.
9.12am’ There is heavy military presence at Igbokoda, home town of sacked PDP gubernatorial candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim. Voting has commenced. Voters are also turning at Ward 7, Unit 20 where the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko will vote.
9.10am’ Voting going on in PU28/06/10/002, Oshodi/Isolo Ward, Akure South in the presence of INEC and security officials. Meanwhile, ousted factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in today’s election Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim has switched his support for the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the people of Ondo have no other choice than APC’s Rotimi Akeredolu, who he claimed that they loved.
9.00am’ At PU28/05/09/009,Oba-Ile, Akure North.Card Reader malfunctioning which has resulted to clashes between INEC official and Voters. Card readers are also not working in some polling units in Igba Oke area of Ondo state.
9.00am’ At PU28/03/09/006, Isua III Ward, Akoko South East. Accreditation and voting is going on smoothly.
8:52am’ Faulty Card reader at Unit 2, ward 9 Oke aro/Uro 2 Akure South LGA.
An observer said she has called the attention of INEC technical officer to the matter.
When asked why she’s not proceeding with the incidence form, she said she need clearance from an higher authority.
Voters waiting for INEC officials Photo: Michael Abimboye
8.50am’ PU28/14/02/016, Erinje Ward, Okitipupa. Accreditation has not started due to disagreement between INEC officials and Voters.
8.50am’ At PU 28/01/04/013, Ikado II, Akoko North East, Card Reader rejecting some Voters’ fingers. While at PU 28/18/5/010. 8.30 am. Accreditation just started. INEC officials giving priority to the elderly.
8.45am’ At PU28/06/06/014, Oda Ward, Akure South. Accreditation and Voting commenced by 8.10am.
8.45am’ At PU28/05/05/001, Igoba/Isinigbo Ward, Akure North. Accreditation and Voting commenced by 8am.
8.42am’ At PU28/07/01/009, Apoi I, Ese Odo LGA. Accreditation and voting has commenced. Party Agents and Security present.
8.40am’ At PU28/06//06/001, Oda Ward, Akure South . accreditation commenced at 8.00am. Security personnel on ground.
8.40am’ At PU 28/01/02/005, Ekan Ward, Akoko North East.Accreditation & voting commenced. While at PU 28/16/11/008, INEC official arrived before 7am. Accreditation and Voting has started.
8.39am’ At PU28/05/01/001, Akure North. Voting has started. No party agents at PU. 4 Security Personnel.
8.38am’ At PU28/06/03/009, Gbogi/Isikan II, Akure South. INEC officials and police are present but no voters yet. Reg. Voters = 1,159.
8.35am’ At PU28/05/02/001, Akure North. Accreditation and voting has started. No party agent on ground. Reg. Voters = 1,108.
8.35am’ At PU 28/11/01/008. Accreditation and voting started at 8.00am but the card reader failed to read the fingers.
8.33am’ At PU28/09/01/003, Ifedore. INEC officials setting up and three police personnel are present.
8.30am’ At Unit 27, ward 5, Akure south LGA. Voting has also began here peacefully and orderly.
So far, all voting units visited has been orderly with security agents on ground.
The security agents mounting road blocks have also been cooperative.
Voting on-going Photo: Michael Abimboye
Voters on the queue Photo: Michael Abimboye
8.25am’ At 28/18/08/10 Owo LGA, electorates seating under canopy awaiting INEC official. Meanwhile, Owo is reportedly boiling as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in local government by armed thugs at the resident of Chief Jamiu Ekungba, an APC governorship aspirant who lost out in the September 3 primaries in Ondo state.
Ekiti state governor’s special assistant on new media Lere Olayinka reported late on Friday, November 25 that there was carnage in Owo, which is the hometown of Rotimi Akeredolu, the APC governorship candidate in the Ondo election.
“Owo, Akeredolu’s hometown is said to be boiling now. Houses belonging to both PDP and APC supporters are being burnt..,” Olayinka said.
Recall that one person has died ahead of today’s polls. A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) was killed by unknown gunmen in Owo, Ondo state.
The chieftain, Afolabi Olaposi was shot dead on his way home after attending a meeting of the party in preparation for the governorship election on Thursday night, November 24, according to a statement released the APC.
8.22am’At PU 28/04/14/012, Oba I Ward, Akoko South West INEC and security officials are present. But no Party agents. Accreditation about to start.
8.20am’ Accreditation started by 8:00 am at PU 28/02/06/017, Ogbagi Ward, Akoko N/W. Also at PU 28/01/06/007, Ilepa 2, Akoko North East, INEC Officials and Materials arrive at exactly 7.05 am.
8.20am’ At PU28/06/02/29, Akure South Ward 2, Gbogi/Isikan1 INEC materials and officials present,security officials have also arrived.
8.17 am’ At PUOO7,ODUPEJU-40,LGA 06 Akure South, RA 07. INEC officials are present but no security personnel.
8.15am’ At PU28/06/08/017, Oke Aro Ward, Akure South. No INEC official or police present. Voters have been there since 7.00am.
8.10am’ Accreditation and Voting has began in Unit 13, ward 5. Akure south LGA. It should be noted that it’s simultaneous voting, that is, accreditation and voting at the same time.
Total number of registered voters here are 569.
Voting and accreditation ongoing. Photo: Michael Abimboye
Voting and accreditation ongoing. Photo: Michael Abimboye
8.03am’ At Polling unit 015, ward 5, hospital road, Akure south LGA, INEC officials have arrived. Voters are already on queue and are ready to exercise their civic duty.
Voters on the queue and are ready to exercise their civic duty. Photo: Michael Abimboye
7.55am’ At Unit 11 ward 5, Akure south LGA , INEC officials have set up in readiness for election.
7:55am At Unit 11 ward 5, Akure south LGA , INEC officials are here also and have set up in readiness for election. Photo: Michael Abimboye
7:55am At Unit 11 ward 5, Akure south LGA , INEC officials are here also and have set up in readiness for election. Photo: Michael Abimboye
7.46am’ Unit 03 Oba-ile road, mobile filling station. All materials are here also. Total number of registered voters here are 1026.
INEC officials at Unit 3 Oba-Ile road. Photo: Michael Abimboye
Youth corps members and INEC officials at Unit 3 Oba-Ile road. Photo: Michael Abimboye
7.37am’ INEC officials have arrived at unit two, Oba-ile Second gate, Akure North local government with all electoral materials and security officials on ground.
Youth corps members at unit two, Oba-ile Second gate. Photo: Michael Abimboye
INEC officials at unit two, Oba-ile Second gate. Photo: Michael Abimboye
7.28am’ Officials just arrived PU28/06/07/007, Odopetu Akure South. However, police personnel not present at the moment.
7.10am’ Four INEC officials and two security personnel have arrived at PU: 28/01/02/005
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