The victorious governor of Osun state in the Saturday governorship election in the state, Rauf Aregbesola has noted that despite his victory, democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria even as President Goodluck Jonathan denied insinuation in opposition quarters that the security and other arrangements made for the election were designs to achieve a favourable outcome for his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his post-election victory broadcast on Sunday in a broadcast to the people of the state, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced him as the winner of the governorship election, titled: “Democratic Victory Over Tyranysaid: Governor Aregbesola: “it is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball into a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process.

“After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state.”

Here is the full text of the broadcast text:

To the good people of Osun State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.

Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP.

Osun state was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.

The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.

Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the bulk of the PDP candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments- namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious departure from the general trend of voting across the state.

The outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs.

Let me assure the good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work even harder with all well-meaning people of the State of Osun and the generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace for all with renewed fervour. I realize that this victory and the challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we must set her free.”

In a message to congratulate Governor Aregbesola President Jonathan described the Saturday governorship election as election free, fair and peaceful, adding that it reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“The outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the federal government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party.”
He hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission and national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his Administration.
President Jonathan also applauded the people of Osun State who came out en masse in all the local government areas of the state to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right.
Giving further assurance that he would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and the sanctity of the Nigerian votes at all elections, the President assured governor Aregbesola that he would continue to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states of the country.
He wished Aregbesola continued good health and a successful second term in office.
In his congratulatory message to the governor-elect, former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar described the electoral victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a measure of the his popularity and acceptability and that of the opposition party.
The former Vice President expressed appreciation to the voters in Osun State for not letting him down as their in-law.
“The victory of Governor Aregbesola and the APC in the governorship election in Osun State is very symbolic. It shows clearly that my in-law and the incumbent governor is very popular among his people of Osun State.
“It also shows significantly that the people of Osun State are at home with the APC and the mass oriented policies associated with our great party.”
Atiku said that in as much as the election has been won and lost, what is important is that the people of Osun State have made an investment into the future for another four years.
“Our great party, the APC is very appreciative of the decision that the people have made and I am very confident that Governor Aregbesola will initiate more people-friendly policies that will make the APC come out stronger in future elections in the state and beyond.”
The Rivers State chapter of APC also sent its congratulatory messages, saying that with the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and with the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its attempted coup against the popular Nasarawa Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, the days of PDP at the centre have become obviously numbered.
“In view of the failure of all the plots to rig the Osun election; intimidation and arrest of key APC Chieftains by the PDP-induced security agents and with the failure of the attempt to corrupt INEC officials, PDP should hide its ugly face in shame. We heartily congratulate Governor Aregbesola on this epochal victory.
“With all of PDP’s rigging strategies now exposed, President Goodluck Jonathan should do himself some good by resisting the temptation to lure him into the 2015 presidential election. “This is necessary if he is to avoid open disgrace by becoming the first President in Nigeria to contest an election and lose such an election. Besides, Mr. President is fully aware that he is not qualified to contest the 2015 election after spending six years as President. Already, Nigerians have vowed to disgrace PDP for the hardship the party has brought upon them apart from not securing their lives.”
APC said that the Osun
election was, in a way, a victory for River State, adding that it was also a victory for Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who directed that the mistake of Ekiti State should not be allowed to play out in Osun.
“In this regard, Dr Davies Ikanya the Rivers State APC Chairman who relocated his office to Osogbo for over a week to represent the Rivers State Government and to ensure the execution of the election according to the wishes of Governor Amaechi described the election as victory over fascism and nepotism represented by PDP.” [myad]

The Northern Elders Council has acknowledged that Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo is currently the Northern political leader. This has foreclosed the controversy that had raged for a long time now over who leads the North at the level of politics.
Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who led members of the Council to Aguda House, the official residence of the Vice President to wish him happy 60th birth day anniversary, commended him for the leadership qualities he has been displaying.
Yakasai also commended Namadi Sambo for his loyalty and support to President Goodluck Jonathan, even as he assured him that members of the Council would continue to support the administration towards national progress.
He wished the Vice President a happy birthday on his 60th anniversary.
Namadi Sambo expressed appreciation to the Northern Elders for their contributions towards nation building.
Namadi Sambo thanked them for their support to President Jonathan led administration on its people oriented Transformation Agenda.
He also lauded their untiring efforts at fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, asking them not to relent.
Those in Yakasai’s entourage include the Council’s deputy chairman, Senator Saidu Umar Kumo; elder statesman, Ambassador Hassan Adamu; the Council secretary, Chief John Mankilik; Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman and Hajiya Aisha Aliyu Gusau. [myad]

Osum electorate have given another four year, second term to the incumbent governor and candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded governorship election in the state, Rauf Aregbesola, with 394,684 to defeat his closest rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The final result of the election, conducted on Saturday, August 9, showed that Aregbesola won in over two third of the 30 Local Government Areas of the State while the PDP candidate, Omisore, polled 292,747 even as the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Fatai Akinbade got 8,898 votes to come third.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Osun State governorship election is the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Bantale Omole.

Aregbesola, won in Local Government Areas including Irepodun, Irewole, Obokun, Iwo, Olorunda, Oriade, Ola Oluwa, Atakumosa, Osogbo, Atakumosa West, Ayedade, Ilesha South, Ilesha North, Ayedire, Boripe, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ede North, Ifedayo, Ifelodun and Ede North.

The PDP candidate, Omisore won in Odo-Otin, Ife South, Ife North, Ife Central and Isokan.

The election took off on a peaceful note with election materials arriving most polling units on time. However, there were accusations and counter-accusations by the major parties- APC and PDP.

The full results:

Ifedayo APC 4,225 PDP 3982
Boluwaduro APC 4,891 PDP 5,035
Ilesha East APC 16,106 PDP 5,913
Odo Otin APC 11,950 PDP 12,902
Ilesha West APC 15,427 PDP 5,449
Orolu APC 8,558 PDP 6,786
Oriade APC 12,523 PDP 10,214
Atakumosa APC 6,928 PDP 5,142
Ede South APC 11,738 PDP 7,462
Ila Oragun APC 10,825 PDP 7,916
Boripe APC 12,723 PDP 9,344
Irepodun APC 13,314 PDP 7,386
Ife Central APC 9,680 PDP 24,555
Ife East APC 13,821 PDP 20,831
Ola Oluwa APC 7,927 PDP 4,963
Isokan APC 9,758 PDP 10,028
Ife North APC 8,603 PDP 9,841
Ede North APC 15,403 PDP 10,427
Ifelodun APC 17,447 PDP 12,442
Ayedaade APC 12,801 PDP 11,255
Obokun APC 11,696 PDP 8,618
Irewole APC 18,328 PDP 10,330
Egbedore APC 10,215 PDP 7024
Aiyedire APC 7,724 PDP 7,813
Iwo APC 20,827 PDP 15,493
Osogbo APC 39,983 PDP 11,513
Olorunda APC 26,551 PDP 8,483
Atakumota East APC 9,287 PDP 6,294 (Election did not hold in Alarere polling unit)
Ife South APC 7,325 PDP 12,811
Ejigbo APC 17,700 PDP 12,495

Meanwhile, election did not hold in Alarere polling unit in Atakumosa East LGA while 11 polling units recorded over voting and forged signatures in Ejigbo. [myad]

Results of the Osun state governorship election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today in the state have shown that the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola of All Progressives Congress (APC) is in the early lead.
The few results declared publicly by INEC after the counting of votes, showed that Aregbesola is leading in Ward 02 in 014 polling unit of Oniso compound
In Ede North with 59 votes cast out of 112 accredited voters, while his closest rival, Senator Omisore got 37 votes with 7 votes voided. Others were APGA with 07, ADC 01, PDN 01, ACPN 02 and NNPP 02 votes.
Aregbesola also won in Ward 09 in 009 polling unit in Ojularede open space of Ede North with 33 votes as against Omisore’s 26 votes out of 65 accredited voters. In Ojisun polling unit 007, out of 159 accredited voters, Aregbesola got 85 votes while Omisore got 63 votes and seven votes were voided.
In ‪Ilesa west ward 6, Araromi unit 4, Aregbesola got 138 votes while Omisore got 63 votes.
In Ibodi, it is 300 votes for Aregbesola’s APC and just three for Omisore’s PDP while APC also got 95 votes in Lemodi as against PDP’s 25.
In Ijoka in Ilesha, APC got 150 votes while PDP got 30 and in Orita Kajola in Ilesa, APC got 265 vote and PDP got 65.
others are:

In Ede Adejare Bello Unit :

APC 126

PDP 30

Serubawon Adeleke Unit

APC : 640

PDP: 9
‪more to come…[myad]

Former Nigeria Vice President and chieftain of APC, Atiku Abubakar has cautioned against the use of military for the purpose of election which he said is anathema to the spirit of electioneering politics.
In a statement from his media office in Abuja today, Atiku emphasized: “the use of the military for the purpose of election is an anathema to the very spirit of electioneering politics.”
He made it clear that the rules of engagement of the military violates the principles of fundamental human rights which gives the people the power of franchise.
The former Vice President who was reacting to reported random arrests, by security operatives, of the leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) shortly before the commencement of the governorship election in Osun State today, advised the security personnel to observe neutrality and professionalism in the monitoring of the election.
There was wide spread reports, between yesterday and today, of soldiers and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) arresting APC leaders and members across the state.
Atiku called on the relevant authorities behind the deployment of troops for the governorship election in Osun State to give instructions to the soldiers and state security agents on the imperative of limited and minimal engagement associated with the nature of their assignment.
According to him, the mood of terror being reported to have been created in the state is capable of distorting the expected free and fair outcome of the election. [myad]

The national publicity secretary of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that Nigerian security operatives have now stopped working for Nigeria as a nation, but have constituted themselves into what he called President Goodluck Jonathan soldiers, policemen and DSS officials.

In a press statement shortly after he was released from detention in Osogbo, capital of Osun state, where governorship election is currently ongoing, Lai Mohammed regretted that he was arrested along with other APC Chieftains for no reason other than they were in opposition.

“The way and manner we were harassed, arrested and dehumanized on Friday night show that Nigerian citizens can no longer be sure that the security agents they encounter on the roads or anywhere else are well-trained and highly-disciplined men and women in the military, police, DSS and others that we used to know. What we have now are Jonathan’s soldiers, policemen and DSS officials who have since stopped working for the nation but are now the enforcement arm of the PDP.”

The APC said that he was arrested in Gestapo Style by hooded security agents in Osogbo on Friday night, adding that the incidence has shown the level of illegality, lawlessness, anarchy and intolerance to which Nigeria has descended under the watch of President Jonathan.

He said that he was arrested along with Mr. Sunday Dare, the Media Aide to APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Mr. Afolabi Salisu, Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

”We were being driven to the Government House when we were stopped at a military check point by men in military and DSS uniforms, all hooded and armed to the teeth with AK-47 assault rifles, pistols and other weapons. Since there was no curfew in Osun state and people were moving around freely, we felt it was a routine check.

”Suddenly, the men, some of them apparently drunk, ordered us out of the car, took our phones, pointed their assault rifles at our heads and said ‘you are under arrest’. They herded us into their bus like animals and drove away. There is no doubt that they knew who we are because I introduced myself!

”From our encounter with our tormentors, there is also no doubt that these were not just soldiers and DSS officials, there were also ex-militants and thugs, all clad in military and DSS uniforms but apparently lacking in any training! We also witnessed how men in military and DSS uniform fired their guns at the gate leading to the residence of Senator Isiaka Adeleke to force it open!

”We asked them why we were being arrested, but they ignored our question as they drove for close to one hour before veering into a compound that turned out to be the offices of the DSS. There, we met people who had been previously arrested and stripped of their clothing, many of them bloodied from the beatings to which they must have been subjected.

”We were herded to one side as our tormentors marched around triumphantly, in what could well have been a scene from the Ukraine! We were waiting for our turn to be stripped of our apparels and taken along with those who were arrested earlier to the DSS cells when a man who is apparently a senior DSS official intervened and ordered our release. The men who arrested us, apparently unhappy at the order to set us free, rejected the order, until the man asserted his authority and even accompanied us to where we were arrested from.

”Back there, we discovered that our driver has been badly beaten and even robbed of his personal belongings by the same security agents being paid by the taxpayers to protect the citizens, whose ranks have now been swelled, willingly, by thugs and ex-militants, armed and dressed in official uniforms by the PDP and sanctioned by the Jonathan-led Federal Government!

”This arrest is not about Lai Mohammed, Sunday Dare or Afolabi Salisu, whoever we may be, but about the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians, to move around freely, associate with any party of their choice and express their opinions without being molested or arrested.

”The way and manner we were harassed, arrested and dehumanized on Friday night show that Nigerian citizens can no longer be sure that the security agents they encounter on the roads or anywhere else are well-trained and highly-disciplined men and women in the military, police, DSS and others that we used to know. What we have now are Jonathan’s soldiers, policemen and DSS officials who have since stopped working for the nation but are now the enforcement arm of the PDP.

”As we write this, APC leaders and members are still being harassed and arrested across Osun State. We have just received reports that our members were arrested in Ifelodun Local Government Ward 10,.Atakumosa East Local Government and Ife East Local Government, Okerewe Wards 2 and 3. Over all we have ninety-seven leaders of our party in detention and the arrest has not stopped. This cannot be right.

”Our party, the APC, has no doubt whatsoever that the depravity being exhibited under President Jonathan’s watch, in the name of politics, has his imprimatur. We have no doubt that elections, which should be a celebration of democracy, have now been turned to war because of the desperation of President Jonathan to win re-election at all costs. We have no doubt that the anarchic Minister of State for Defence and Minister of Police Affairs, who are leading the ”troops” in Osun as they did in Ekiti, are taking their cue from President Jonathan.

”If those Ministers can move around freely in Osun and elsewhere, why can’t other Nigerians, irrespective of the party they belong to? If a PDP hireling like Chris Uba can be put in the command of 50 soldiers of the Nigerian Army, why should anyone still be under any illusion that the Nigerian Army is still serving the nation? Where else in the world is a thug commanding disciplined forces?

”We, Lai Mohammed, Sunday Dare and Afolabi Salisu, are just fortunate to be alive. The guns pointed at our heads by drunken armed men could have gone off! Since our arrest took place in the dark, we could have been driven to an unknown destination and shot dead! This is a dangerous time for Nigeria and her democracy. Irrespective of the outcome of the Osun election, democracy has been dealt a near-mortal blow. 73,000 ‘security agents’, including the military, police, DSS, Civil Defence, ex-militants, thugs and murderers, deployed to police election in just one state? There is no better indication that we are in a militarized democracy.

”Again, we call on President Jonathan to stop deceiving the world. In one breath, this President says he is committed to credible elections and that his political ambition is not worth the life of any Nigerian. In another, he sanctions state-sponsored harassment, intimidation and even killing of ordinary Nigerians by security forces that are now the enforcement arm of the ruling party, all in the name of politics.

”He desecrates national institutions by willfully using them against the opposition. This is not the democracy that many of our compatriots fought and died for. This is not the Nigeria that was envisaged by our past heroes. It is time for all concerned to step in and stop President Jonathan before he brings the country crashing down on our heads,” APC chief spokesman concluded. [myad]

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abduwahed Omar has warned against turning Osun state, currently witnessing the election of the next governor, into a war zone. He feels worried over the deployment of armed security men and women to the State as part of preparations ahead of the election.

In a statement, Comrade Omar said believed that deployment of armed soldiers to election venue cannot be helpful to the growth of any democratic culture, saying that it portends an infringement on the rights of the electorate who may refuse to participate in the election as a result of the intimidating presence of armed security agents.

“More worrisome is the reported shootings across the state capital by officers of the State Security Service (SSS) shortly after arriving the state for election-related duties. We wonder why the SSS had to waste bullets shooting sporadically to scare residents who were not engaged in any form of violence at the time of the shootings.”

The NLC boss stressed that inasmuch as elections are very important to any democracy, “we caution that the state should not be turned into a war.” [myad]

Governor Aregbesola had arrived with his wife, Sherifat, at about 10.40am at his Unit 1, Ward 8 Polling Unit at Ifofin to cast his vote. He described the turnout of the electorate as impressive.

The governor, who was accredited at about 10.43am, said he was happy with the conduct of the exercise in his ward.

He said though he could not use the situation in his ward to assess the over all performance of INEC, he was happy with what he saw in his ward.

The governor said the enthusiasm of voters had re-affirmed the democratic consciousness of the people.

He said, “These people (voters) are more democratic than most of us. They are passionate and conscious of their democratic obligation.

“I wish the leadership of this country will be more passionate in building a just and democratic society.”

The governor, however, condemned the reported arrest of some people who he claimed were his party leaders.

The PDP candidate, Omisore, who presented himself for accreditation at his Moore Ward at 11.27 am, described the exercise as largely successful.

The PDP flagbearer, who said that the turnout of voters at Ile-Ife was impressive, reiterated his commitment to ensuring a peaceful conduct of the election.

Meanwhile, Labour Party candidate, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, says he is still in the governorship race. Akinbade spoke after being accredited at his Ward 3,Unit 1 Polling Centre at his Ogbagba home town

Akinbade was accredited at about 9.28am and he expressed confidence in the ability of INEC and other security agencies to ensure a successful poll.

The governorship election started smoothly with large turned out of voters at various polling centres. Reports reaching us showed that voters started to pour into the polling centres for accreditation as early as 6 a.m. ahead of the official time of 8 a.m.
Reports said that despite a light rainfall in the early hours of today, the turnout was impressive.
Alhaji Bamidele Suleiman, a party ward collation agent, said more than 100 voters had arrived in Unit 19 Ward 5 in Osogbo Local Government Area as early as 6.30 a.m.
Voters at PU 002 in Oloki/Akoda, Ede South LGA Photo By Dapo Akinrefon.
In Ward 001, Ataoja E, many voters said they were in the ward early to do accreditation in time to cast votes as quick as possible.
Mrs Titilayo Amoo, one of the voters at Unit 16, Osogbo Local Government, said she led some other women to the unit early enough to participate in the election.
Mr Jolayemi Gabriel, 76, said he was impressed that elder citizens such as himself were at the polling unit early enough.
However, Sulieman alleged that the opposition party APC was providing canopies for voters, saying that it was not in line with INEC guidelines.
Reacting to the allegation, Alhaji Bashiru Ajebade, the leader of Ward five Oke-Arungbo community in Osogbo Local Government Area, said the canopies were provided by members of the community.
He said they were to be used in the event of rainfall and to provide shade for the elderly voters.
Mr Kayode Odewale from the same ward, however, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of INEC and security officials.
He commended voters for coming out on time to vote. Among the voters, who came out early for accreditation, were elderly women and men.
At Ward four, polling units 19 and 20 on Old Governor’s Office, Osogbo, accreditation did not start on time in spite of a massive turn-out of voters.
The Presiding Officer, who wished to be identified as Oluwasheyin, apologized to voters for the “slight delay’’, adding that they faced some little challenges in setting up some structures, coupled with the rain shower.
She appealed to voters to be orderly and remain within the vicinity of the centre, to enable them to vote immediately after accreditation at 12.30 p.m.
At Ward 20 of the centre, election materials arrived at about 7.20 a.m. where a Presiding Officer, Festus Okoli, said they were well secured.
Some of the voters whose names were in the voters’ register, said they were not listed alphabetically as they expected.
The correspondents monitoring the exercise in Ilesa West and East local government, report that many voters had queued as early as 6.30 a.m. waiting to be accredited.
At Unit 10, ward five, at African Church Grammar School, Ilesha West, anxious voters were already in the queue waiting to be accredited.
Mrs Adebimpe Oluwole, a 65-year old woman,said that she arrived at the polling unit at about 6:30 am waiting for accreditation.
At Ilesa East, units 1 and 2, at Oke Obanla, large numbers of voters were seen checking their names on the register.
There was heavy presence of security operatives in each of the polling units.
At the Unit seven, ward 1, at Igbogi Junction, Orinkiran, the exercise which started at 8 a.m., also witnessed a huge turnout of electorate for registration, with many of them checking their names on the register.
Miss Abifoluwa Olorode, INEC ad hoc worker, said that she arrived at the unit around 7: 05 a.m.
Olorode said the turnout of the electorate was impressive.
Unit one, Ward eight, Ifofin, Ilesha East which is the polling unit of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the election, witnessed a huge turnout of voters.
Mrs. Sarafat Aregbesola, the mother of Gov. Rauf Aregesola, was the first voter to be accredited.
Aregbesola said she was impressed with the turnout of the voters for the accreditation.
She expressed the belief that her son, Aregbesola, would be re-elected.
However, voters’ accreditation started at 8 a.m. in most of the polling units at Ilesha West and East local government areas.
At Ward 1 in Ilode near Ife, accreditation started at 8 a.m. with appreciable turnout of voters.
Mrs Funke Akanni, a voter and Alhaji Hassan Arogundade, 85, said they came out as early as 8 a.m. and everything was peaceful.
The PDP National Secretary, Mr Wale Oladipo, commended INEC for adequate preparation and arrangement, saying there was enough security. [myad]