A peaceful atmosphere, impressive voter turnout, and the early deployment of electoral officials characterised Saturday’s Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election as eligible voters across the six local government areas of the district trooped out to elect a new representative in the Senate.
The bye-election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu.
Across polling units in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ileoluji/Okeigbo local government areas, voters were seen arriving early to participate in the exercise, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced accreditation and voting in many centres without significant delays.
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Security personnel, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies, were strategically deployed across the district, contributing to the peaceful conduct of the election.
The orderly conduct of voters and the absence of major incidents further underscored the calm atmosphere that prevailed in most polling units.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 05, Igbo Ward 4, Obenla Community in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa expressed satisfaction with reports emanating from across the senatorial district.
The governor described the election as peaceful and commended voters for their participation in the democratic process, despite the exercise being a bye-election.
He said, “We want to encourage everyone to come out and vote. Ondo State is safe, and we have a peaceful election. God has been helping us, and our security agencies are up and doing. Ondo State is one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.”
According to him, the encouraging turnout recorded across the district was partly due to sustained political activities following the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election and extensive mobilisation efforts by party stakeholders.
He noted that although voter participation in bye-elections is traditionally lower than in general elections, the turnout witnessed during the exercise was impressive and could surpass expectations.
“So we expect that we get a very good number, maybe about 100,000 plus, considering the way the election is as a bye-election. But ordinarily, if it is like a general election, definitely the number would be more. We hope that at the end of voting, we will see how it goes,” the governor stated.
Aiyedatiwa also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information, stressing that maintaining security remains a collective responsibility.
Similarly, the candidate of the APC in the election, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, expressed confidence in securing victory, citing favourable reports from polling units across the district.
Faduyile, who voted at Ward 6, Unit 5, LA Primary School, Ode Ikoya in Okitipupa Local Government Area, commended INEC officials for their punctuality and professionalism.
Faduyile said, “Yeah, the assessment is a great one. We have had so much information coming from a lot of the polling units, and it has been very favourable.
“The INEC staff have reported promptly at their duty posts. We are not hearing of any security breach and the people are coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. We are very positive that we are going to have a very good election,” he said.
The APC candidate also applauded voters for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, noting that there had been no reports of violence, intimidation or disruption in any part of the district.
He added, “Well, the security situation in this part of the state has been peaceful. I do not expect any security breach.
The people love themselves irrespective of political divide, and there are no areas of concern so far.”
Faduyile further commended security agencies for their visibility and professionalism, saying their presence had helped to reassure voters and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
“I must give credit to the security agencies. I have seen the men of the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and other security outfits manning very important areas.
The people have been conducting themselves well, so I am confident there will be no security breach,” he said.
While expressing gratitude to residents for turning out to vote, the APC candidate pledged to provide inclusive and responsive representation if elected to the Senate.
He stated that “My message to the people of the Southern Senatorial District is that this election will produce a new representative in the Peaceful Senate.
“We are committed to participatory democracy. We will engage the people, listen to them and ensure they are well represented,”
He also reiterated his confidence in the outcome of the election, thanking voters for their support and participation.
“I want to thank them for coming out en masse to vote. I believe that most of the votes will go to me as their preferred candidate,” Faduyile said.
As voting continued across the district, residents expressed optimism that the peaceful conduct of the election would further strengthen democratic participation and ensure the emergence of a credible representative for the Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
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