By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) has expressed satisfaction in the conduct of the cincluded local government election in Ido Local Government Area of the state.
Olagunju stated this while speaking with the journalists after inspecting some polling units in the local government, adding that the exercise, so far, has been peaceful and devoid of harassment or molestation.
Olagunju added that contrary to reports received from some unknown people alleging that there is violence, he described it as false, saying the situation everywhere inspected was calm.
In Olagunju’s words, “As you can see, the exercise is very peaceful. In all the polling units we have visited, the story is the same and there is no problem. People were voting for candidates of their choice.”
“Against the several messages we have received from some unknown people alleging that there is violence everywhere, I had to come out and inspect it myself with the commissioners and security operatives and we have all seen how good everything turned out to be. The situation is very calm and peaceful.
“As a matter of fact, we have seen many people turn out and there is no harassment or molestation.”
Oysiec Chairman pointed out that the action of the Commission to have shifted the election of the Ido Local Government was justified.
It would be recalled that OYSIEC had earlier announced the postponement of electoral activities in the local government due to the absence of Zenith Labour Party logo on the ballot papers.
“With what I have seen so far, we are justified to have shifted the election to this date. In some polling units, we saw that they have exhausted their booklets and were asking for more. So, I am highly impressed by the turnout and I hope it will be sustained till the end of the day,” Olagunju said.
The monitoring exercise was carried out by the OYSIEC commissioners, management team along side security agencies.
Areas visited included: Ologuneru,
Awotan, Gbopa, Kenge, Fenwa, Oganla, Elenusoso, Apete, Dogo and Apata among others.