Domestic election observers monitoring the Osun governorship election have commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the impressive voter turnout across Ede, as voting commenced early in several polling units.
Observers were seen at various polling stations as early as 7:00 a.m., before the commencement of accreditation, with many expressing satisfaction with the orderly process.
Security Personnel Praised for Coordination
Mr Omotola Akinropo, an observer with Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), lauded the electoral process during his monitoring tour of polling units in Ede. He noted that security personnel had performed admirably in coordinating the exercise and preventing any breach of law and order.
“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,” Akinropo stated.
He commended the electorate for the high turnout while urging all political actors to accept the election outcome in good faith and refrain from violence.
Observers Express Optimism
Similarly, Mrs Bisi Adebimpe of the Centre for Democracy and Good Governance, Abuja, described the election as peaceful and expressed confidence that voters would continue to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
She encouraged citizens not to be afraid to cast their votes but to come out en masse and fulfil their civic responsibilities.
Early Voting Across Polling Units
Accreditation and voting commenced early in several polling units visited in Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas. Locations 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, Ede North.
Others included Obalaoye, Ward 2, Unit and Agip, Ward 2, Unit 3 in Ede South. At these polling units, voters were seen queuing orderly, while security personnel maintained order throughout the areas.
Voters Express Hope
Mr Kazeem Taofeek and Mrs Grace Abimbola, both voters at Orita Alajue Ward 5 Unit 1 and Sagba Abogunde Ward 2 Unit 7 respectively, commended the peaceful atmosphere at their polling units. They expressed hope that the exercise would remain peaceful until the conclusion of voting and the announcement of results.
Contesting Parties
The Osun governorship election features candidates from 15 political parties, including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party, and Mr Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).