The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has announced results of 12 local governments in yesterday’s governorship election held in Ondo State.
The State Returning Officer and the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Olayinka announced that the APC won in nine local government areas, while PDP won in three council areas.
The nine local government areas won by the APC are Ole Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Irele, Akoko North East, Akoko South West, Akoko North West, Akoko South East, Ondo East, Owo, Idanre.
The PDP won in Ifedore, Akure North and Akure South.
Our correspondent reports that the remaining results are still being expected.
Ahead of Ondo gubernatorial poll holding tomorrow, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it is rejecting the choice of the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede as the Chief Returning Officer for the election.
At a news briefing in Akure, the party’s chairman, Ondo State Gubernatorial National Campaign Council and governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde alleged that Professor Ogunbodede was a crony and kinsman of the APC candidate.
He then called for the withdrawal of the VC with someone with no affiliation with parties involved or their candidates.
In a response, the spokesman for the APC Campaign Organization, Richard Olabode described the allegations as false and spurious.
Olabode claimed INEC was yet to make official announcement of whoever will be the Chief returning officer, saying the PDP claims was mischievous.
Candidates vying for governorship election slated for this Saturday in Ondo State have signed peace accord
Candidates who signed the pact at the Dome in Akure included Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN of APC, Mr Eyitayo Jegede SAN, PDP, ZLP candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, Martin Olateru-Olagbegi of the ADP and Rotimi Adeleye of the Accord Party.
The candidates however enjoined INEC and security agencies to be fair and objective throughout the voting process.
Addressing the candidates, the Chairman, National Peace committee and former head of state, Retired General Abdusalami Abubakar advised political stakeholders across the state to give peace a chance noting that nothing could be achieved in the atmosphere of rancour.
Also, the State Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Frederick Akinrutan and members of the National Peace committee, Bishop Mathew Kukah as well as the sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar urged the governorship candidates to play by the rules saying the governorship position was meant for a person.
The Sultan also cautioned their followers especially the youths against being used for thuggery.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who decried the recent political clashes in parts of the in State enjoined the supporters to be tolerant adding that the commission would remain fair to all parties to achieve credible governorship election.
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC says sensitive materials for the conduct of the October 10 Governorship election in Ondo state are readily available at the Akure branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting for the conduct of the election in Akure.
Prof Yakubu informed the gathering that political parties in the election would be made to sign a peace accord ahead of the Saturday poll.
The INEC Chairman gave assurance that every votes would count.
Prof Yakubu added that the commission was working to improve on the performance during Edo State governorship election.
In a welcome address, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in charge of Ondo State, Amb. Rufus Akeju noted that every necessary measures have been put in place for smooth conduct of the election.
The REC maintained that facemasks and other COVID 19 protocol compliance materials have been procured for officials and ad hoc staff that would be participating in the election.
In a remark, INEC National Commissioner supervising Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola hinted that all eyes are on the state and the commission could not afford to fail.
Addressing the stakeholders, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu informed that thirty three thousand seven hundred and eighty three men would be deployed for the conduct of the election with support of military personnel.
Mr Adamu urged all stakeholders to align themselves with rules guiding the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the stakeholders meeting was attended by the DG NYSC, NOA Acting State Director, IPAC State Chairman and representatives of the 17 participating political parties in the October 10 governorship election.
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC says it will leave no stone unturned at conducting a credible and acceptable Governorship Election in Ondo State.
Head of Voter Education of INEC in Ondo State, Mrs Rosemary Adeniyi stated this at the training of Community Voter Education Providers in conjunction with European Centre for Electoral Support, ECES, in Akure.
Represented by the Public Affairs Officer of INEC in Ondo State, Mr Babalola Lebile, Mrs Adeniyi emphasized on the importance of voter education in a bid to enhance voters turnout during elections.
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She charged the providers to ensure all eligible voters are encouraged to participate in the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State.
In a goodwill message, Senior Project Officer, ECES, Mr. Sylvester Somo said the providers are to assist INEC on sensitizing the people for adequate citizen’s participation in electoral process.
Mr. Somo noted that for election to be successful and democratic, voters must see voting as their right and responsibility, be sufficiently knowledgeable of availability and accessibility of the information.
He added that voters must be well informed about conditions and procedures of meaningful participation in the voting process.
Our Correspondent reports that participants at the training were drawn from officials of INEC and the National Orientation Agency, NOA.
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mammud Yakubu has arrived Akure Ondo State capital for a 3 day visit.
Addressing Newsmen at the Airport, Prof Yakubu said he came to have on the spot assessment of the level of preparedness for the October 10 Governorship election in the state.
The INEC Boss noted that the commission had made provision for card readers to replace the burnt ones in the inferno that razed a makeshift office housing the gadgets.
Prof. Yakubu emphasized that the commission was ready for the conduct of credible and acceptable poll as witnessed in Edo State.
The INEC Chairman and his entourage is expected to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Ambassador Rufus Akeju and Head of Departments ahead of the October 10, Governorship Election in Ondo State.
Prof. Yakubu will also have interaction with Media Organisations in the state at the Collation Center, INEC Office and will also meet with Traditional rulers at Cocoa Conference Room in the Governor’s Office.
The INEC Boss during the visit will also meet with ICCES, Electoral Officers and visit to Local Government Areas.
