Ondo decides: Live updates, situation reports, results from governorship election
Ondo Election: PDP guber candidate, Ajayi votes
The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, has cast his vote.
Ajayi voted in his hometown, Kiribo, Apoi, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The former deputy governor voted at Apoi Ward 11 Unit 004 at RCM Idumado Quarters, Kiribo.
Ondo Decides: Aiyedatiwa’s deputy, Adelami votes in Owo
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, has cast his vote in his hometown, Owo, headquarters of Owo LGA.
Adelami exercised his franchise at
Igboroko 2, Ward 3 Unit 16, in Owo, at about 10:00 am.
The deputy governor, who arrived at the polling unit at 9:40 am, joined a queue of voters waiting to be accredited along with members of his immediate family.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after voting, Adelami urged residents of Owo and the people of the state to come out to vote.
He said, “Your vote is your power. I urge you all to come out to vote.
“In so doing, you will be contributing to the promotion of good governance and a greater Ondo state.”
Ondo Decides 2024: APC thugs have invaded Idanre – PDP running mate, Akingbaso alleges
Amid the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State, thugs have reportedly invaded Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed by the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Festus Akingbaso.
Akingbaso, a member of the House of Representatives, spoke while addressing journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 005, Oke Imikan.
The lawmaker expressed satisfaction with voter turnout and the security arrangements at his polling unit but voiced his apprehension over reports of thugs allegedly disrupting the election process in the area.
He claimed that the thugs were mobilized by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“The turnout of voters is not bad, and the security situation here is commendable. I want to appreciate INEC as their performance so far has been satisfactory.
“However, my advice to voters is that after casting their votes, they should stay behind and monitor proceedings until the final results are announced. If everything goes smoothly, I am confident my party will win.
“Information reaching me indicates that several villages are overrun by thugs allegedly brought in by the APC.
“Villages such as Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah are reportedly occupied. In Igbepo, suspected thugs have gathered in large numbers,” Akingbaso said.
Ondo Decides 2024: DSS arrests vote-buyer with two Ghana-must-go bag of money
An alleged vote-buyer in the ongoing Ondo State governorship election has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
The alleged vote-buyer was apprehended with two bags of money believed to be aimed at inducing voters.
He was arrested at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007 outside St. Stephen’s Primary School, Akure, Ondo State around 9 am on election day.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has casted his vote at his polling unit 6, Ward 4 in Obenla, Ilaje local government area of the State.
Aiyedatiwa is contesting to retain the governorship seat in the off-cycle election against 16 other candidates from different political parties, including former governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Polls : Ogun polling unit deserted as arrival of electoral officers remain unknown
The local government elections in Abeokuta, Ogun state has witnessed late arrival of electoral officers, materials and electorate.
Our correspondent observed that at about 8:45 a.m polling units in the Obafemi Owode local government area of the state was deserted.
While heavy duty security operatives took over major roads in the state, not less than two were seen at the polling units.
Similarly the Ward 10 Town Hall in Ewekoro Local Government Area is also witnessing the delay of the electoral officers leaving voters stranded.
As at 9:30 when our reporter got to the Obafemi Owode local government secretariat, sensitive materials for the election are still been distributed to electoral officers.
Ondo Decides 2024: Aiyedatiwa cast vote
Governor of Ondo State and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has cast his vote at the ongoing election.
Aiyedatiwa cast his vote at Polling Unit 6, Ward 4 in Obenla, Ilaje local government area of the State.
Aiyedatiwa is contesting to retain the governorship seat in the off-cycle election against 16 other candidates from different political parties, including former governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that Aiyedatiwa, who was the deputy governor to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, took over the mantle of power after the demise of his principal on 27th December 2023.
INEC officials have started setting up at Ward 4, Obenla community, Ilaje LGA, and voters are already out to check for their names on the voter list.
As at 7:18 am in Ward 8, PU15 & PU16, All Saints Grammer School, Oka, Ondo West, Ondo state, INEC officials have started setting up.
Ondo Decides 2024: INEC officials move voting materials to polling units in Irele LG
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced moving voting materials to polling units in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This is in preparation for the commencement of the governorship election.
At the Registration Area(Ward 8 ) in Irele Local Government Area, INEC officials are moving materials to various voting centres in the ward.
Residents of Ondo State will file out on Saturday to elect the next governor, 11 months after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicates that 18 governorship candidates will be participating in the election.
The candidates include:
Falaiye Abraham Ajibola (A), Akinuli Fred Omolere (AA), Ajayi Adekunle Oluwaseyi (AAC), Nejo Adeyemi (ADC), Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel (ADP), Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan (APC), Popoola Olatunji Tunde (APGA), Ogunfeyimi Isaac Kolawole (APM), Fadoju Amos Babatunde (APP), Ebiseni Olusola Nehemiah (LP), Olugbemiga Omogbemi Edema (NNPP), Ajaunoko Funmilayo Jenyo (NRM), Ajayi Alfred Agboola (PDP), Alli Babatunde Francis (PRP), Akingboye Benson Bamidele (SDP), Adegoke Kehinde Paul (YP), Akinmurele John Otitoloju (YPP), Mimiko Olubansile Abbas (ZLP).
While residents decide on the next governor, DAILY POST highlights the four top candidates going into Saturday’s poll:
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Aiyedatiwa took over the mantle of leadership in the state following Akeredolu’s death in 2023.
The former deputy governor hails from Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. While Akeredolu was ill and battling cancer, Aiyedatiwa stepped in as Acting Governor.
In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as Ondo State governor following Akeredolu’s death.
In his campaign manifesto, Aiyedatiwa emphasized security, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, youth, education, and women empowerment.
Agboola Ajayi – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Ajayi was the deputy governor to Akeredolu during his first tenure before their eventual fallout.
Following the fallout, Ajayi joined the Zenith Labour Party to contest in the last election but lost.
He later defected to the PDP and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
The 54-year-old focuses on security, agriculture, health, education, industry, marine economic development, rural development, environment, youth, sports, social welfare, women development, and civil service reform.
Olorunfemi Festus– Labour Party (LP)
Barely 24 to the polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission reinstated Olorunfemi Festus to replace Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for today’s (Saturday) governorship election in Ondo State, following a ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The decision came after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upturned a judgment by the Federal High Court, which had on September 27, 2024, ordered INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the LP’s candidate.
Abbas Mimiko – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Abbas is the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The medical psychiatrist has pledged to focus on a seven-point agenda, including food security, potable water, wealth creation, education, a mass housing scheme, health, and peace and security.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST will provide situation reports from the state as events unfold.
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