12th May, 2018
Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
The on-going local government election in Oyo State on Saturday has been widely described as peaceful across the state, though, there were mixed reactions as to the turnout of electorates in different wards.
While there is a large turnout in some areas, there is low turnout in several others.
According to reports from various wards across the state, voting materials and electoral officials arrived as early as 8am in some areas, while the materials came late in some area.
As at the time of filing this report, though election is still on-going, it was gathered that election has been completed in some areas and the electoral officers are already counting the votes.
Early callers at the polling stations include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111; state commissioners including Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bimbo Kolade; Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Oladuntan; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Isaac Omodewu; Joshua Oyebamiji representing Akinyele 1; Olusegun Ajanaku, representing Ibadan South West 2, who cast their votes at various wards across the state.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence cast his vote around 12:30pm in Oluyole area of Ibadan.
Speaking on the conduct of the election, all the political appointees interviewed described the election as impressive stressing that the conduct is satisfactory.
Oyebamiji said, “I was impressed at what I saw today. I saw people so eager to exercise their franchise. I am happy that Governor Abiola Ajimobi made this election possible”.
An electorate from Ogbomosho who spoke to our correspondents said that the election was not really impressive in the area, saying, “People did not really come out to vote because they do not see a reason why they should go out to vote when the election is for APC candidates alone.
‘As you can see, though, they say that about seven political parties are participating, but it is like one party, which is APC that is participating in the election. APC government does not give room to the opposition”.
Reacting to this development, a political Scientist, Dr Dhikrullah Yagboyaju described the low turnout as an impression already formed by some electorates that the ruling party always win practically all the seats in local government election, leaving one or two for the opposition parties.
He called for a change of orientation of the electorates urging them to turn out en masse and vote so as to make it impossible for rigging to occur.
As at the time of filing this report, voting continues.