Boats conveying officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election materials in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have reportedly capsized.
However there is no report of casualty yet as rescue mission is ongoing.
Details shortly….
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The electoral process for electing a new governor in Ondo State has commenced.
Today, voters will decide whether to give incumbent Rotimi Akeredolu a second term or elect Eyitayo Jegede or Agboola Ajayi as the new governor.
Meanwhile, no physical distancing was observed. Most of the voters are also not putting on face masks.
No physical distancing but some wear masks
The ‘D’ is here for electorates in Ondo State to either renew the mandate of their sitting governor or choose another person that will lead them for the next four years.
As expected, the hotels have been fully booked since Thursday evening, with security operatives, observer groups, media personnel, politicians and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the guests.
About 1,478,460 are on the register to vote in the election which will hold across 203 electoral wards and across 18 local government councils of the state.
Though there will be 17 party logos on the ballot, the three major candidates who are expected to earn most of the votes are Incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party.
Meanwhile, there are fears that politicians may have imported hundreds of thugs into the capital city. And there are fears that the clashes among political thugs which characterised the campaign may repeat itself during the election, thus leading to the disenfranchisement of many.
Police partner sister agencies for improved security
However, to demonstrate their capacities to rein in any untoward activity, well kitted security operatives made up of soldiers, the police and officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, paraded the city in what is described as ‘show of force’ on Friday afternoon.
The police had earlier indicated that it will deploy 30,933 conventional police personnel and 2,850 special agents for the election. The police deployment would be complemented by an additional 3,500 manpower to be drawn from other security agencies while the military will be engaged for the purpose of securing the state’s borders.
In addition, the Nigeria Police Air Wing will provide air surveillance, according to Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police who announced the measures.
He said added that security deployment was intended to protect the personnel and assets of the INEC, the electorate and residents of Ondo State in general before, during and after the election.
Adamu said that the rationale for the deployment was drawn from the experience garnered at the recently-concluded governorship election in Edo State and proactive response to the outcome of intelligence analyses gathered on Ondo State’s governorship elections.
On Friday, the Inspector-General of Police had also ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday, in Ondo State.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on Friday, the order is part of efforts by the Force to ensure effective coordination of public order and safety during the gubernatorial election.
“The IGP reiterates that the vehicular restriction order, among other things, is aimed at preventing political actors and trouble-makers from freely engaging in unpatriotic acts – circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs, movement of political thugs from contiguous States to Ondo State and disruption of the electoral processes, etc – which are inimical to the dictates of the electoral laws,” Mba said in the statement.
INEC insists election will be free, fair and credible
INEC was fine-tuning its preparations for the election with the movement of electoral materials on Friday. But speaking on Monday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu told members of staff of the Commission to consolidate on the INEC’s recent achievement Edo by ensuring that every single vote cast in the election is accounted for.
Yakubu said, “We must consolidate on our recent achievement and account for every single vote cast on Oct. 10, in a transparent manner which will ensure that only the choice of the electorate prevails.” “I implore all of you to resist any form of temptation and let your individual actions be guided by the extant laws and good conscience.
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has directed that Friday, Oct. 9, be observed as a work-free day for state workers to enable preparations for the election on Saturday.
According to Ojogo, Friday is specifically approved as such to enable workers to have enough time to embark on adequate measures aimed at preparing themselves for the election.
“This includes necessary trips by workers to areas where they are registered to cast their votes.
“Eligible voters are advised to be law abiding throughout the period of the exercise.
“They are equally encouraged to take maximum advantage of the adequate security measures already put in place to exercise their voting rights without any fear of harassment, intimidation and molestation.
“Governor Akeredolu wishes all stakeholders, especially our workers in the public service, the best of luck as they exercise their civic responsibility,” the commissioner said.