Chairmanship and Councillorship elections into the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 newly created Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) went seamlessly yesterday in Ogun State.
But voters’ apathy was observed in some wards and polling units.
About 17 political parties participated in the exercise with the trio of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) showing dominant visibility.
Voters were accredited and chose their candidates simultaneously in the exercise conducted by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIE)
Governor Ibikunle Amosun voted at 12.03pm in Ward IV, polling unit 003 at St. John’s School, Ajura, Owode Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Amosun, who was accompanied to his polling unit by his wife, Mrs. Olufunso and the OGSIEC chairperson, Mrs. Risikat Ogunfemi, expressed satisfaction with the election.
Fielding questions from reporters, the Governor said the new method adapted by OGSIEC where voters, after verifying their names, cast their votes immediately was why few electorates were on queues at the voting centres.
“I feel great because we are not just voting today but we are making history.
“I have said it before that this election is even important than even the governorship election, not just because the Local government is the closest to the people but because in the history of our State, this is the first time we would be having LCDAs alongside our local governments so, we are making history today,” the governor said.
At Ayetoro ward 1, mechanic junction polling unit, where Speaker Suraj Adekunbi, voted, the turnout was relatively impressive.
Adekunbi expressed satisfaction with the exercise, noting the system adopted this time by OGSIEC made it stress- free and removed cases of crowding.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Ward III, Polling unit 005 in Muslim Model Nursery and Primary School, Ago-Oko in Abeokuta North Local government area, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, commended the people for conducting themselves peacefully.
But chairmen of the Ogun chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele and Abayomi Arabambi called for the cancellation of the polls.
Ogundele said the cancellation had become imperative following cases of violence and irregularities he alleged characterised the exercise in parts of the state.
He also alleged that there were reports of sporadic gun shots at Orile-Ilugun area in Odeda Local Government Area resulting from clashes of rival political supporters.
The PDP chairman claimed that the OGISIEC create additional polling centres particularly in strongholds of APC candidates without prior knowledge of opposition parties.
Arabambi who could not stop the election through tortuous litigations, said Labour Party had no confidence in the conduct of the polls.
He accused OGSEIC of delisting the party.
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