The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded over 90 percent of results for the Ondo State Governorship election to its election results viewing portal known as IREV.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a total of 3573 results of the Saturday election as of 6:29:08 pm have been uploaded to the IREV out of 3933 results being expected from the 18 local government areas in the State.
Ondo 2024: Democracy is taking strong footing in Nigeria – Bajowa
Meanwhile, Retired Maj.-Gen. Olu Bajowa has said that the large turnout of voters and peaceful conduct of the Ondo State governorship election indicated that democracy was gradually taking a strong footing in Nigeria. The former Quartermaster General, Nigerian Army, stated this in an interview shortly after casting his vote at Unit 6, Ward 1, Igbotako, Okitipupa LGA on Saturday.
Bajowa, the Jagunmolu of Ikaleland, commended the peaceful conduct of the election, which he described as “impressive with large turnout of voters without any records of snatching of ballot boxes and hooliganism anywhere.” He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election in the state.
“This election is peaceful and impressive because there is no records of snatching of ballot boxes and no rancour whatsoever. The turnout of the voters was massive with their orderliness, punctuality of INEC staff and the security, which is good too
“People now understand what democracy is all about and understand their power to exercise their civic responsibility to elect good government. And with what I saw today, I can say that democracy is taking a strong footing in Nigeria,” Bajowa said.
He, however, said that the outcome of the election must be accepted by all parties, the winner and the losers in the election, saying that there would always be another time.
“In a contest there is always a winner and a loser, both of them must accept the outcome of the election. The winner must be magnanimous in victory and the loser must understand that there is always another time,” Bajowa added.
Ondo 2024: Election is free, fair, credible – Jimoh Ibrahim
Similarly, Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, (APC- Ondo South) has described the conduct of the Ondo State governorship election as free, fair and credible. Ibrahim, addressed journalists on Saturday at Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area, shortly after he performed his civic rights.
Ibrahim cast his vote at Idogun unit 2, Igbotako Ward 2 in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ibrahim, a business mogul also re-emphasised his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR and the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
According to him, I can confidently tell you that I am satisfied with the conduct of this election because it is free, fair, credible and without violence.
“I voted for my party as a loyal member under President Bola Tinubu and our respected National party chairman, Ganduje and I can say that definitely, APC will win this election,” Sen. Ibrahim said.
Ondo 2024: Odu, Faduyile, laud INEC, security agents for peaceful election
Also, some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains have lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of Ondo State governorship election.
The chieftains, who spoke in a separate interview on Saturday after casting their votes, also commended the punctuality and dedication of INEC adhoc staff, security personnels as well as turnout of voters in polling units. The chieftains also commended the large turnout of youths who came out massively to perform their civic responsibilities.
According to them, youths in the state seem now to better appreciate the need for their participation in electioneering process better than before. They also showed optimism that the outcome of the election would favour their party and its candidate, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Princess Oladunni Odu, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said that INEC and security agencies must be commended for the peaceful conduct of the the election. Odu, an APC governirship aspirant, who cast her vote at Unit 1, Ward 2, Idepe-Okitipupa also commended INEC staff and the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their punctuality and dedication to duty.
“This election was peaceful. I think we must give it to INEC and security agencies for conducting a peaceful election. Well, the turnout was low compared to the past ones but we can not judge because the day is still young now, I believe most of them will still show up later,” Odu said.
Aso, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile, a former Special Adviser on Health to the late Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said that the conduct of the election was impressive and peaceful. Faduyile, who voted at Unit 5, Ward 6, Ikoya Igbisin-Oloto, Okitipupa, added that he was impressed with the turnout of the youths.
“The election was peaceful enough, although the turnout was low, but I am impressed with the large turnout of youths. It seems they now understand the efficacy and power of their votes for good governance,” Faduyile said.
Also, Mr Chris Aiyebusiwa, representing Okitipupa Constituency one at the Ondo State House of Assembly, who cast his vote at Unit 11, Ward 1, Ilutitun, Okitipupa LGA, also commended INEC and security agencies for credible election.
Aiyebusiwa also lauded the orderliness of voters, expressing confidence that the APC would cost to victory after the sorting and collation of results.
Ondo election: Traditional rulers commend INEC, security
Two first class traditional rulers in Akoko area of Ondo State have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their conduct in the ongoing governorship election in the state.
The two kings also urged political parties and their supporters to see the outcome of the election as a will of God and accept the outcome when it is finally announced by the electoral body.
Speaking at his palace at Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, said the people of Ondo state, as peace lovers, must shun any form of violence that could arise from the poll.
According to him, the election has been peaceful, so far, and people are casting their votes without any issue.
“Election should not be a do or die affair. No matter what, it is, just one person will be declared winner. I will advise the candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election.
“There should not be any form of rancour and violence that will disturb the peace in the state, because we are all one. And if for any reason, one party is not satisfy with the outcome of the poll, such party should seek legal redress instead of causing problems,” he said.
Also speaking with NAN, Oba Issa Olanipekun IV, Saki of Arigidi-Akoko, in Akoko NorthWest Local Government Area, commended INEC officials and security agencies for a peaceful election in his domain and beyond
He also called on political supporters not to allow politicians to use them for their own selfish interest.
“So far, there is peace in Arigidi Akoko and people are voting for candidates of their choice. Nobody is harassing anybody . As far as I am concerned the election is peaceful.
“By the grace of God, there will not be any problem because we had a meeting with INEC in Akure and we have warned our subjects to stay away from trouble.
“So, I am very sure that there will be no chaos. The era of political crisis when we had ‘operation wet e” is gone,” he said.