….As Ondo deputy governor cast his vote
… Eyitayo Jegede,PDP candidate too
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its staff members involved in a boat mishap on Friday while conveying materials for the governorship election in Ondo state have all been rescued.
A video which went viral on Saturday showed some officials of INEC shouting as the boat conveying them and materials to riverine areas for the voting exercise capsized.
A statement from the publicity directorate of the Commission reads; “INEC can confirm that there was an incident last night during the movement of personnel and materials to the riverine Registration Areas of Ilaje LGA of Ondo State for today’s governorship election.
“Fortunately, all personnel and election materials were rescued when the boat capsized.
“This was made possible by the officers and personnel of the Nigeria Navy who escorted the boats.
“The movement was eventually concluded and voting commenced as planned in all the polling units today.
“INEC commends the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Navy as well as those of all other personnel involved in the exercise”.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Deputy Governor and Zenith Labour Party governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, cast his vote about 10.32 a.m at Apoi Ward II, Unit 004 in the 2020 Ondo governorship election.
Ajayi, who lauded the impressive turnout at his unit, said, “Ondo State people are ready to vote freely. In any contest, there must be a winner. They should have allowed the process to be free and fair.
“You can see the turnout that has been very encouraging here. But I want to also say that the way we have seen it here, the security arrangement is a bit compromised which is not exactly what happened in Edo State.”
Also,PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede and his wife, Eno, arrived at Ward 2, Polling Unit 09, Akure South Local Government, around 09:00am, but had to wait for about 3 hours on the queue before casting their ballots due to the delay caused by a malfunctioning card reader.
Jegede said he didn’t want to jump the queue.
“Don’t forget that I am a citizen of this state. The same blood that flows in my veins flows in their veins. It is only fair that we stay where we should be.
“The truth is that so many people came here so early and it will be unfair for me to jump the queue. We must lay good examples, we must lay good narratives,” he told journalists.
‘God Will Give Me Victory’ , Says APC’s Akeredolu After Casting Ballot
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has cast his vote along with his wife.
The Governor arrived at his Polling Unit 6, Ward 5 at Isokub in the Ijebu Owo area of the state by 9.37am after the rain which started earlier had stopped.
Akeredolu who was dressed in a white Agbada, was not allowed to join the queue as he was ushered to where he was accredited together with his wife, Mrs Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu after which they cast their ballots.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, Akeredolu, said, he was sure, God would give him victory.
He said, “I am confident about winning this election. I have always said that mine is about God. I know that God in his infinite mercy will give me victory. My confidence is in God.”
Akeredolu Votes In Owo
#OndoDecides2020: Gunshots Rock Akure Polling Unit
There were sporadic shootings heard at Pollíng Unit 11, Edo Lodge in Oke Ijebu area of Akure.
The incident which occured past 9am this morning, was confirmed by Ondo PPRO, Mr Tee-Lee Ikoro.
He said Mobile Police operatives have been deployed to the scene.
This happened even as voters turn out were recorded in other wards and accreditation has commenced at polling unit six Ward five Owo local government where the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is expected to cast his vote.
The voters were screened before accreditation.
