Domestic observers monitoring the ongoing Osun governorship election have commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the large voter turnout across Ede, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Observers Praise Early Start and Security Coordination
The observers were seen monitoring some polling units as early as 7 a.m., before accreditation commenced. Omotola Akinropo, an observer with Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), commended the electoral process while monitoring some polling units in the town.
Mr Akinropo said the election had so far been peaceful in all the communities visited, adding that security personnel had done well in coordinating the process and preventing any breakdown of law and order. He also commended voters for the large turnout and urged all political actors participating in the election to accept the outcome in good faith and avoid any violence.
“The election so far across Ede community is peaceful, from what I can see, and security personnel have done very well in coordinating and ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order,” the election observer said.
Another Observer Optimistic on Voter Adherence to Guidelines
Similarly, Bisi Adebimpe of the Centre for Democracy and Good Governance in Abuja described the election as peaceful. Mrs Adebimpe expressed optimism that voters would continue to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). She urged the electorate not to be afraid to cast their vote but to come out en masse and perform their civic responsibilities.
NAN reports that accreditation and voting commenced early in several polling units visited in Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas. Some of the polling units visited included Sagba Agbogunde, Ward 2, Unit 9, Ede North; Orita Alajue, Ward 5, Unit 1, Ede South; Adogbe, Ward 3, Unit 5, Ede North; and CAC, Ward 4, Unit 2, all in Ede North. Others were Obalaoye, Ward 2, Unit and Agip, Ward 2, Unit 3 in Ede South.
Voters Queue Orderly, Express Hope for Peaceful Conclusion
At some polling units, voters were seen queuing in an orderly manner to vote, while security personnel maintained order in the areas. Kazeem Taofeek and Grace Abimbola, both voters, commended the peaceful atmosphere at their respective polling units: Orita Alajue Ward 5, Unit 1, and Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 7. They expressed the hope that the exercise would remain peaceful until the conclusion of voting and announcement of results.
NAN reports that the Osun governorship election is being contested by candidates from 15 political parties, including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party, and Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
