The local government election in Osun State on Saturday witnessed a poor turnout of voters, with many polling units recording low or no attendance.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some polling units in Osogbo, including those at Ogo-Oluwa, Alekunwodo, Olaiya, and Oja-Oba, were empty as of 9:15 am, with no OSSIEC staff, security personnel, or voters present.
The voters’ list was also not displayed at some polling units visited. However, elections took place in some units, including units 18, 19, and 20, ward 4, Ataoja D. Despite Governor Ademola Adeleke’s order restricting vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm, there was free movement of vehicles without any restrictions.
In Ile-Ife, some polling units also recorded low turnout, but the situation was different in Ede, the governor’s hometown, where voters were seen at some polling units. Mr. Nifemi Akingbala, one of the voters, praised the electoral body for ensuring a peaceful process, saying, “The process has been so peaceful, and I urge all voters to cast their votes without fear.”
Another voter, Mrs. Aminat Idowu, also commended the orderly conduct of the election, stating, “I cast my ballot at 8:20 am, and everything went smoothly.” The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, who cast his vote at Unit 5, Ward 9, Asi in Odo-Otin LGA, praised OSSIEC for the peaceful conduct of the election and lauded voters for abiding by the law.
Egbedun assured the electorate that the outcome would reflect the will of the people and commended them for turning out to cast their votes. Despite the low turnout, the election was generally peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
