The local government election in Osun State has commenced under peaceful atmosphere on Saturday.
While many places monitored in Osogbo are yet to commence voting, The Point gathered that the poll has begun at the state governor’s ward.
The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, cast his vote in his hometown, Ede, few minutes to 8am.
He voted at Ward 02, Unit 09, Sagba Abogunde in Ede.
Speaking with journalists immediately he cast his vote, the governor urged citizens who are within voting age to troop out and exercise their franchise.
He emphasised the importance of grassroots democracy and called on the people to participate actively without fear or intimidation.
The governor who described the election process seamless, commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for a job well done, encouraging all and sundry to come out and vote peacefully, as this he said is a crucial step in strengthening the nation’s democracy at the local level.
Meanwhile, security operatives including the Nigeria Police Force, were seen at strategic locations in Osogbo maintaining law and order.
The officers blocked road with benches and logs of wood while ensuring compliance to the vehicle movement restriction order given by the state governor for the poll.
Many residents are seen going about their usual weekend chores while few movements of people were noticed.
When The Point arrived Ede, some voters and officials of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission at Alajue 01, Ward 04, Unit 20, said they had completed voting at about 8:30am.
One of the residents around the polling unit who identified himself as Adebayo Nurudeen Olawale said, “We are through with voting and I voted at 9:30am. You can see my finger.”
Our correspondent saw some persons suspected to be officials of OSSIEC taking the ballot box away and leaving the cubicle. Efforts to interview them were not successful as they said they were already through with the exercise.
At Alajue Ward 04, Unit 10, there was not voting and neither were there voting materials there as at 8:40am.
Voters were seen standing at Alajuue01, Ward 4, Unit 8, Anu-Olu junction, Ede as at 8:51am, while electoral officials were sorting the cast ballot papers when our correspondent visited.
The presiding officer, Olayiwola Emmanuel, told The Point that voting started at 8:30am, adding that voting has been completed while sorting was ongoing.
At Ward 08, unit 06, 150A Station Road, Ede, voters were seen standing and casting their ballot as at 9:01am when The Point visited. The presiding officer, Mr Oladele John, said voting started at 8:30am, adding that, “there is no problem at all. People started voting at 8:30am.”
Meanwhile, there was no security operative noticed at any of the polling units monitored in Ede South which is the governor’s zone.
Some persons who claimed to be voters at Ward 04, Unit 17, Cele, Ede North, said they had been waiting for OSSIEC officials but had not seen as at 9:28am when The Point arrived the area.
