As the Ondo State governorship election commences, 1.7 million registered voters are set to decide their leader for the next four years on Saturday, November 16.
This high-stakes election has drawn prominent political figures and generated anticipation across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 18 candidates for the election.
The current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is vying for his first official term after stepping in for the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away last year.
His primary challenger is Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who previously served as Akeredolu’s deputy.
To ensure a smooth and organized election, INEC has emphasized logistics planning. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu highlighted that over the past days, the commission has coordinated with officials, security agencies, and transportation providers to finalize plans.
“We have engaged in perfecting arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations,” Yakubu stated.
In a move to enhance transparency, INEC will use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter identification and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for real-time results upload. Material distribution has already begun, and INEC is working closely with security agencies to maintain order during the election process.
The Nigeria Police Force has also deployed senior officers to manage security, including DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating officer, alongside AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu.
To ensure safety, the Inspector-General of Police announced a restriction on vehicle movement from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, with exceptions for essential services.
On the eve of the election, President Bola Tinubu urged voters to maintain peace and respect the democratic process, expressing his confidence in INEC’s preparations. “President Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear,” stated presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
The Ondo governorship election promises to be a pivotal moment, as residents eagerly anticipate a transparent, orderly exercise reflective of the people’s choice.