Ibadan voters defy rumours of ‘war’

The governorship and House of Assembly elections held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, witnessed a large turnout of voters compared with previous elections, not minding rumours which had earlier spread round the town that the elections were going to witness violence in the state, particularly in Ibadan.

At most of the voting centres visited, people had come out as early as 7.30 a.m. for accreditation, but while the electoral officials arrived on time and commenced the accreditation exercise at 8.00 a.m., it did not start until 8.30 a.m. in some centres, as some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officers reported late to their stations.

As the accreditation was going on, there was apprehension at areas like Iwo Road; Agodi Gate; Olomi; Orita-Aperin; Lalupon; Oranyan; Beere; Oja-Oba; Molete; Queen Cinema (Mokola), where it was rumoured that some sponsored political thugs were likely to foment trouble, but the tension was immediately doused by security operatives who assured people that there would be no problem.

Voting commenced at 12.30 p.m. as scheduled and it was generally peaceful, as there was a heavy presence of military personnel on guard at different.

The accreditation areas in Ibadan witnessed the challenges of missing names of registered voters and non-availability of ballot papers in polling units, which almost caused uproar in some centres, but the situation was immediately arrested by the returning INEC officials and party agents.

While speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the Accord Party (AP) governorship candidate, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who got accredited at Bodija,  commended the conduct of the elections and stated that if there was no rigging, he would surely win the election.

He, however, said reports reaching him from his supporters had it that the election was not free and fair in some parts of the state.

According to him, “there are reports from Ogbomoso, Ogo-Oluwa and Igbojaye (Oke-Ogun) that Accord Party agents and our supporters were being scared away by thugs and security agents from exercising their voting right.”

Also, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Harry Akande described the election as very peaceful, adding that, “the presence of the security agents gives the people a lot of confidence and respect for the rule of law.”

According to him, “the election is among Akala, Ajimobi and Ladoja, they all have their people and supporters which may make the result very tough to decide, but as a PDP chieftain, I believe Akala may win. I think the best person for the post should just win and be given the job.”

At Ibadan North-West Local Government Area, the Senator-elected of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Femi Lanlehin, said, “the people want a change, which they have been agitating for and now that they have the opportunity, they have to utilise it to make the change.”

Reacting to the decision of some Ibadan elders to adopt the ACN candidate for the governorship election, he said, “the elders have their rights because they believe they have a common interest, heritage and a right to speak with one voice; it is constitutional, legal and democratic.”

Also speaking with the Nigerian Tribune,  after his accreditation at his Igbona compound, Popoyemoja, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, the Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, said the election was peaceful.

He opined that PDP would surely win in Oyo State and Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala would be returned because of the level of development the state had witnessed during his tenure as the governor.

The Labour Party governorship candidate, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, also described the election as “free and fair” and was optimistic that he would carry the day.