Domestic election observers monitoring Saturday’s Osun governorship election have given thumbs up to the peaceful atmosphere and impressive voter turnout recorded across polling units in Ede, describing the exercise as largely seamless and well-coordinated.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), observers were on the ground as early as 7 a.m., tracking the accreditation and voting processes from the very start.
Mr Omotola Akinropo, an observer with Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election in the communities he visited. He particularly praised the performance of security agencies, noting that their presence and coordination had effectively prevented any breach of public order.
“The election so far across Ede community is peaceful. Security personnel have done very well in coordinating and ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order,” Akinropo said. He also called on political actors to accept the eventual outcome in good faith and avoid any acts of violence.
Echoing his sentiment, Mrs Bisi Adebimpe of the Centre for Democracy and Good Governance, Abuja, described the exercise as calm and orderly. She expressed confidence that voters would continue to comply with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and urged citizens to come out en masse without fear to exercise their franchise.
NAN reports that accreditation and voting commenced early in several polling units across Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas. Units visited included Sagba Agbogunde Ward 2, Unit 9 (Ede North); Orita Alajue Ward 5, Unit 1 (Ede South); Adogbe Ward 3, Unit 5 (Ede North); CAC Ward 4, Unit 2 (Ede North); as well as Obalaoye Ward 2, Unit 5, and Agip Ward 2, Unit 3, both in Ede South.
At these locations, voters were seen queuing calmly and orderly, with security operatives maintaining effective oversight.
Voters, including Mr Kazeem Taofeek and Mrs Grace Abimbola, who spoke at Orita Alajue and Sagba Agbogunde respectively, also praised the peaceful environment and expressed hope that calm would prevail through the conclusion of voting and the announcement of results.
The Osun governorship election features 15 political parties, with key contenders including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and APC candidate Mr Bola Oyebamiji.
