Massive turnout amid heavy security at Osun governorship election

There was massive turn out of voters in today’s 0sun State governorship election.
The voters who defied the early morning rains in some areas in the state trooped out in large numbers to cast their votes.
As early as 7am people had besieged polling booths for accreditation especially in 0sogbo,the state capital as well as Ilesha and Ile-Ife, ahead of the official time of 8am for accreditation.
In most areas visited by our reporter within the state, people conducted themselves in an orderly manner to exercise their franchise.

There was heavy presence of security operatives in all the polling units to ensure a trouble free poll.
Security was tight across the state, as tough-looking soldiers mounted posts at major junctions.
Not less than 73,000 security operatives were deployed to maintain law and order during election.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Iyiola Omisore,who was accredited at his Moore Ward at 11.27 am, described the exercise as largely successful.

0misore who voted at 12.50 pm commended the accreditation exercise and the conduct of the elections.

He said that the turnout of voters at Ile-Ife was impressive, reiterating his commitment to ensuring a peaceful conduct of the election.

Also Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the election in his Unit One, Ward eight, Ifofin, Ilesha-East, witnessed a huge turnout of voters.

Sarafat Aregbesola, the mother of Gov. Rauf Aregesola, was the first voter to be accredited.

Aregbesola said she was impressed with the turnout of the voters for the accreditation.

She expressed the belief that her son would be re-elected.

Rauf Aregbesola who arrived with his wife, Sherifat, at about 10.40am at his Unit 1, Ward 8 Polling Unit at Ifofin, said the turnout of the electorate was impressive.

The governor, who was accredited at about 10.43am, said he was happy with the conduct of the exercise in his ward.

He said though he could not use the situation in his ward to assess the over all performance of INEC, he was happy with what he saw in his ward.

The enthusiasm of voters,he pointed out, had re-affirmed the democratic consciousness of the people addding “these people (voters) are more democratic than most of us,they are passionate and conscious of their democratic obligation”.

He commended voters for turning out en masse to be accredited for the governorship election.

While condemning the reported arrest of some people who he claimed were his party leaders , he said, “I wish the leadership of this country would be more passionate in building a just and democratic society.”
The PDP National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, commended INEC for adequate preparation and arrangement, saying there was enough security.
The Labour Party candidate, Fatai Akinbade,confirmed he was still in the governorship race.

Akinbade spoke after being accredited at his Ward 3,Unit 1 Polling Centre at his Ogbagba home town.

Akinbade was accredited at about 9.28am along side other potential voters.

He expressed confidence in the ability of INEC and other security agencies to ensure a successful poll.
Former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola cast his vote in his hometown, Okuku, Osun State.

Oyinlola commended the conduct of the state governorship election .

“It think so far, it is going on well,”.

The Peoples Democratic Party running mate in the Osun State governorship election, Adejare Bello, said the PDP would not contest the outcome of the election “once it reflects the wishes and expression of the people of Osun State.”

Bello said this after voting in his ward, Ologun-Agbaakin in Ede North Local Government Area of the state.

“So be it once it reflects the wishes and expressions of the people of Osun State. “I pray to Almighty God that my party will be victorious and I become the next deputy governor of Osun State,” he says.