Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the large turnout of voters for the Presidential and National Assembly elections show that Nigerians were desirous of change.
Adebayo, who spoke to newsmen shortly after casting his votes at the Polling centre at Unit 19, Ward 10, Barrack Road, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, said that reports reaching indicate that the elections have been peaceful and turnout impressive across the country..
“I have observed that Nigerians are eager. I came here and met a lot of people. This is very impressive
“This polling unit has a history of being peaceful and today has not been different. The INEC has been good so far and the turnout is impressive and It is quite good here.
“Of course you know that I receive reports from all over the country. Of course it is not so in all other places. I have got report from Ogun, Katsina state and Adamawa
“Our agents do not have tags because INEC has logistic problems. Though it is still early in the day, but I believe that at the end of the day, things will be improved,” he stated.
The SDP presidential candidate tasked all eligible voters to come out and exercise their right to form a good government.
“We, as a party, believe in democracy and we want everyone to come out and cast their votes.
“Today is the day that every voter is powerful. The government is not powerful today but the people and the people will form the government. So, people should come out and vote. It is better for the country,” he said.
Adebayo commended INEC for using technology and good methodology for accuracy and transparency.
He said that if everywhere could be as peaceful as his polling unit, it would be a good day for democracy.
At Unit 19, Ward 10, Barrack Road, Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, voting commenced at 9:00 am.
The Assistant Presiding Officer, Mrs Funmilola Fesobi, said that the BVAS had been working efficiently without any problem.
Speaking to newsmen, Mrs Justina Olabanji, a voter, said that there was hope for Nigeria after the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Olabanji said that the deployment of technology in the conduct of the election was sure to bring about phenomena change and ensure that the peoples vote count.
Also, Mr Kehinde Akinsipe, aged 50, said that the process was smooth and encouraging.
Akinsipe, a Person Living With Disability, stated that the vulnerable, pregnant women and the elderly were given preference to cast their votes ahead of others.
In Okitipupa and environs where NAN visited, there was a low turnout of voters.
The low turnout was noticed at Okitipupa 2, Ward 1 Unit 001, Ward 1 Unit 002, Ward 1 Unit 010 and Ward 1 Unit 012, as well as Okitipupa 2, Ward 13, Units 001, unit 012 and unit 013 as well as Okitipupa 2, Methodist Primary School, unit 001.
NAN reports that at all the polling units officials of INEC arrived punctually but the turnout of voters was poor.
NAN also reports that there was peaceful atmosphere in all units visited as voters were orderly in their conduct and complied with election rules and regulations without any rancour.
There was also a fair presence of security agents in all units visited by NAN.
In Ikare-Akoko voting commenced at most poling units at 8:30 a.m.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Efe Diamond, the Presiding Officer at Ward 1, Unit 001, Ilepa polling centre, said that the turnout of voters was impressive.
Diamond, however, said that he could not ascertain the number of accredited voters as at 9:20a.m., but the BVAS was working perfectly without any issues.
At Orun 1, Unit 04, Ajisebioyo Compound, there was no presence of security personnel at the polling centre as at 9:30 a.m.
The Presiding Officer at the unit, Mr Saheed Suleiman told NAN that voting commenced at 8:30 a.m., but only seven people had voted so far.
“Here, there is no presence of security personnel and people have started alleging that some people are buying votes but, meanwhile, we have so far only accredited seven people.
“As a matter of urgency, we need the presence of security personnel here for the safety of our lives and we cannot continue with the voting,” Suleiman said. (NAN)
