The local government election in Osun on Saturday witnessed a poor turnout of the electorate in the state.
There was no presence of security personnel as of 9:15 am. The Police authority had raised an alarm that the exercise would be hijacked and said police personnel would not be deployed.
Despite low turnout, elections took place in units 18, 19 and 20, ward 4, Ataoja D.
Although Gov. Ademola Adeleke ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the state, this was not complied with, as there was free vehicular movement without any form of restriction.
It was also observed that there were roadblocks along the major roads by the police. Similarly, in Ile-Ife, there was no sign of the electorate as well as OSSIEC adhoc staff in some of the polling units visited.
However, while shops, markets, and shopping malls remained closed, the situation in Ede, the governor’s hometown, was slightly different, as voters were seen at some polling units where OSSIEC and ad hoc staff were attending to them.
At Obalaoye Grammar School, unit 2 ward 4, some voters were seen queuing at 8:00 am waiting to cast their votes.
Also, Oloba Atapara Ward 1, unit 6 witnessed few electorate waiting to be accredited and to cast their votes.
One of the electorate, Mr Nifemi Akingbala, said that the process had been so peaceful and urged all voters to cast their votes without fear.
Akingbala praised the electoral body for ensuring a peaceful process, while another voter, Mrs. Aminat Idowu, stated that she cast her ballot at 8:20 a.m. and also commended the orderly conduct of the election.
At Alajue 1, Ward Unit 8, voting concluded at 8:56 a.m., with the presiding officer, Emmanuel Olayiwola, confirming that the exercise began at 8:30 a.m. and remained largely peaceful.
Also, at 150A Station Road, Ward 8, Unit 6, some voters were seen around the polling area.
The presiding officer, John Olawale, stated that voting ended at 8:30 a.m., and the electoral officials were in the process of sorting the ballots for counting.
It was observed that the election concluded early in most polling units across the town.
Meanwhile, former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has cast his vote in the ongoing local government election at his polling unit in Oba Ojomu Ward 1, Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted around 7:56 am at Unit 9, Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, in Ede North Local Government Area. The governor arrived with his supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Adeleke praised the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) for conducting what he described as a peaceful and orderly election, emphasising the importance of fair local government elections in promoting grassroots democracy.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, cast his vote at Unit 5, Ward 9, Asi in Odo-Otin LGA.
After voting, Egbedun praised OSSIEC for the peaceful conduct of the election and lauded voters for abiding by the law.
He assured the electorate that the outcome would reflect the will of the people and commended them for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes.
