KEY FIGURES
2,053,061 Registered Voters; 1,757,205 PVCs Collected; 3,933 Polling Units; 18 Local Government Area; 203 Electoral Wards; 17 Political Parties
Don’t Allow Room for Vote-Buying – Mimiko Tells ZLP Agents, Threatens Policemen
Abbas Mimiko, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party and sibling of former Ondo State Governor, Segun Mimiko, has told agents and members of the party to resist moves by other political parties to sway voters.
Mimiko, who is following in the footsteps of his older sibling, Segun, who contested and won on the ZLP platform told security operatives to ensure that there is no vote-buying during the election.
He was also heard threatening a policeman that “if you put your career on the line for some nonsense here you will go down for it.”
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior: Turnout Encouraging
The Minister of Interior Affairs, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo voted at Unit 17, Ward 3 Okeagbe, Akoko North West LGA.
In a post on his X (former Twitter) account, Tunji-Ojo said, “Peaceful atmosphere, encouraging turnout.”
Man Arrested with Bag of Money by DSS Operatives
Men from the Department of State Services, DSS, have arrested a suspected vote-buyer in Akure, Ondo State capital, during today’s governorship election in Ondo State.
He was arrested at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007 outside St. Stephen’s Primary School, Akure, Ondo State.
The suspect was apprehended with two bags of money meant to be used to induce the voters during the ongoing election.
Alleged Vote Buyer Arrested with a Bag of Money by DSS operatives.
BVAS Deliberately Manipulated to Rig Election – PDP candidate
The candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Agboola Ajayi, voted at his Polling Unit 4, Idumado Quarters, Kiribo, Ese-Odo LGA, after many failed attempts to verify him.
The Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) took about 10 minutes to verify Ajayi, who later cast his.
The PDP candidate expressed concerns about the exercise as soon as he got to the polling unit shortly before midday.
Speaking with newsmen after exercising his franchise, he complained: “The system is not perfect. Things are not working. It took more than 10 minutes to capture me. INEC cannot organise a successful election in one state. You must know that we are running into anarchy.
“I think it’s deliberate on the part of INEC, the REC. We have said several times that we don’t trust Barrister Olatoyin Babalola and that this woman can’t be fair. The system is compromised.”
Meanwhile, the PDP said in an X post that “APC agents (were) caught inducing voters by distributing money and other items in Ward 8, Unit 5, Iwaro Oka, Akoko SW LGA”
Aiyedatiwa’s Running Mate, Adelami Votes:
The APC deputy governorship candidate Owolabi Adelami cast his vote at Ahmadiya Grammar School, Unit 16, Igboroko 2, Ward 3, Islelu area of Owo. He described the exercise as smooth and peaceful.
Governor Aiyedatiwa Votes, Says Victory Certain
Incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa cast his vote at his Ward 5, Obenla Community, saying that his performance since taking over the realms of state affairs nearly one year ago has placed him in good stead to clinch victory.
“I am here at Obela community at Unit 05. It has been calm and peaceful. The turnout is encouraging. I expect the same situation at other locations. I believe it should be peaceful in other locations. The people will comport themselves.”
“They (electorate) should go out and vote. I believe with what we have done in the last 10 months, the voters know who they want.”
