The Ondo State Governorship election started on Saturday with heavy security presence consisting of personnel of the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) observed at strategic points across the state.
Armed security personnel were observed at strategic points such as the entrance into Akure, the state capital, major towns, the local governments secretariats as well as on major roads in the state.
News reporters covering the election observed restriction of human and vehicular movements was relatively complied to in most parts of the state. Armed police personnel were seen at the Mobil roundabout at Fiwasaye, Akure North LG while security teams in patrol vehicles were stationed at strategic points in Akure.
Also, major roads linking the headquarters of Akoko North-East, Ikare-Akoko were blocked with heavy security agents. Police, Nigeria Correction Service officials, NSCDC, and FRSC personnel were also seen at the various polling units. Security personnel comprising soldiers, police, NSCDC were also observed at strategic points in Okitipupa, Okitipupa LG.
Ondo 2024: Poll records early arrival of INEC officials, materials
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election materials arrived early in most Polling Units in Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
The major roads to the headquarters of Akoko North-East, Ikare-Akoko were blocked by the security agents. Also electorate were seen trooping out to check their names at their various polling Units as at 7:00am
As early as 6:50 am, INEC staff at Idumado Unit 4 Ward 2, Kiribo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area were on ground. At about 7:30am at R.C.M School Unit 5, Ward 2, Kiribo, the polling booth was already set while the electorate were checking for their names on the voters register with the presence of security personnel.
Also, at about 7.00am, INEC staff were at Units 5 and 13, Ward 11, and Units 16 and 17, Ward 13, Okitipupa Local Government Area pasting the names of registered voters. Voters also have started coming out as few of them were seen at the polling Units checking the voters register for their names.
At Fiwasaye Polling Unit 36, Ward 5, Akure South Local Government Area, INEC officials and materials arrived at about 7:00am. At Polling Unit 17, Ward 4, Ijapo Estate, Akure South Local Government Area, the INEC officials were seen arranging tables and chairs with the presence of security agents.
Similar situation was at Polling Unit 19, Ward 4 with the INEC officials set for the election. It was observed that some private vehicles and motorcycles were seen plying the Mobil Road and Oba Adesida Road.
At polling Unit 7, Olokuta Junction, Ward 1, as at 8:20am the unit was yet to be arranged. The Presiding Officer, Omolola Adepoju said the delay was caused by a change in the venue.