Aiyedatiwa predicts strong turnout in Ondo South bye-election

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday expressed optimism that voters would turn out in appreciable numbers for the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election being held across the six local government areas of the district.

BusinessDay reports that the bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacant seat previously occupied by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Aiyedatiwa, who spoke at his Unit 05 in Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje Local Government Area, while casting his vote said the political atmosphere in the district remained active following the primary election conducted about three weeks ago by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, the party’s candidate, Dayo Faduyile, former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), had undertaken extensive mobilisation efforts ahead of the poll.

“Today’s bye-election for the vacant seat that was initially occupied by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who Mr President has appointed as the representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, is taking place today and I am here in Ilaje Local Government, my local government, where I am going to cast my vote very soon.

“We expect turnout of our people, even though it is a by-election, but a lot of work has been done by the candidate of our party in the person of Professor Dayo Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association,” he said.

The governor noted that the election was being held in the six local government areas of Ondo South Senatorial District, namely Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ileoluji/Okeigbo.

He said the APC structure and community members were expected to mobilise voters across the district.

“Because of the primary election that took place about three weeks ago, where people came out to vote to choose candidates for our party, I think the entire environment is still very active politically, so we expect people to come out the way they came out the last time for the primary election.

Aiyedatiwa said the turnout could exceed 100,000 voters, although he acknowledged that participation in a by-election would naturally be lower than in a general election.

“So we expect that we get a very good number, maybe about 100,000 plus, considering the way the election is as a by-election. But ordinarily, if it is like a general election, definitely the number would be more. We hope that at the end of voting, we will see how it goes,” he stated.

The governor also used the occasion to reassure residents that Ondo remained one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely information

Ondo State is safe, first of all. God has been helping us and with the work our security agencies are doing, it is one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.Nigerian news subscription

“I want to tell our people all across Ondo State not to be afraid, but if they see something, they should say something. They should be vigilant because of the time that we are in.”

He stressed the need for residents to promptly report suspicious movements, unfamiliar persons, strange vehicles or unusual activities within their communities to security agencies

“If you suspect any strange movement, or any calls, or anything at all that looks strange in the area, or anyone that is not known, especially by members of the community, if you see anyone that is strange to your area where you live, or any vehicle, just quickly report to the police so that measures can be taken.Ondo news coverage

“You never can tell because crime is not written on the forehead of anybody. It is very, very important that we are proactive.”

Aiyedatiwa further emphasised that security was a collective responsibility and not the exclusive duty of government and security agencies.

“Our security is a function of every one of us. It is not only the government or the security agencies. As members of society, citizens’ participation is very important, especially in the area of security.

“So I want to encourage our people not to be afraid to go about their businesses, but when they notice anything new or strange, they should let the appropriate authorities know,” he said.