by Friday Ochuko: The Ondo State gubernatorial election commenced on Saturday, November 16, 2024, and has been notably peaceful. Friday Ochuko, a reporter for The Beacon newspaper in Akure, noted a heavy deployment of security personnel, including members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Civil Defence Corps. Armed security forces were strategically positioned throughout the town and across the state.
Our correspondents in Akure reported restrictions on human and vehicular movement, along with a significant turnout of voters. One correspondent visited Ward 10, Unit 59, in the Abusoro/Oshodi area of Akure South, where accreditation began at 8:30 AM. The environment was calm, and voters displayed eagerness to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. However, there were murmurs of vote-buying associated with one political party in the vicinity of the polling units.
Additionally, social media reports indicated that the DSS detained a suspected vote-buyer found with “bags of cash.” This incident reportedly occurred at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, near St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State.
