The Saturday local government elections in Ondo State unfolded amidst significant challenges, with voter turnout strikingly low and logistical issues hindering the process early in the day. Reports from various polling centers across the state revealed that the exercise, initially scheduled to run from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., faced delays in most locations, with voting materials and officials arriving much later than planned.
In Okitipupa Local Government Area, covering towns such as Ilutitun, Ode-Aye, Ikoya, and Igbodigo, many polling units remained empty as late as 10:15 a.m. Officials from the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) were observed idling at their posts, awaiting voters who were noticeably absent. Some units, such as 001, 002, 010, and 012 in Okitipupa Ward 1, and 001, 012, and 013 in Okitipupa Ward 13, had not even received ODIEC staff or voting materials by 10:05 a.m.
Similar scenes played out in other local government areas, including Akure North and Ifedore, where polling centers at Oba-Ile and Ilara were virtually deserted during the early hours of the election. Despite these setbacks, the atmosphere remained peaceful, with a handful of voters patiently waiting for the accreditation and voting processes to commence.
In Akure North’s Oba-Ile, Unit 4, Ward 9, the presiding officer, Mr. Bayo Akoledowo, stated that voting had started at 8:30 a.m., and turnout had been relatively satisfactory. However, this appeared to be an exception rather than the rule, as most other units in the state experienced significant delays.
Chief Michael Aladesaye, a voter in the same unit, commended the peaceful nature of the exercise, while another voter, Mr. Martins Fagoroyo, described the turnout as promising, expressing optimism that more voters would eventually show up.
In Ward 9, Polling Unit 7, Oba-Ile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Councillorship Candidate, Mr. Adesoye Fagoroyo, echoed these sentiments. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the election and expressed confidence in his victory, citing his status as the sole contestant in the ward.
In Akure South Local Government Area, voting began at Unit 7 and Unit 27, Ward 4, around 9:35 a.m., though the turnout remained sparse. At Unit 22, Ward 4, Presiding Officer Mrs. Olayemi Olarewanju explained that the delayed arrival of voting materials caused the late start. She disclosed that 387 voters were expected to participate at the unit.
Mr. Adebayo Ayodele, the APC Vice Chairmanship Candidate for Akure South, expressed satisfaction with the process after casting his vote. He asserted that voters had turned out in significant numbers to exercise their franchise and expressed optimism about his party’s success, attributing it to its strong support base and popularity across the region.
Despite these moments of optimism, the elections were broadly marked by a lack of voter enthusiasm and operational inefficiencies. The subdued turnout and delays raise questions about public engagement with local governance in the state, as well as the preparedness of the electoral body to manage such critical exercises effectively.
The Ondo State local government elections underline the importance of addressing logistical challenges and fostering greater voter participation to strengthen democratic processes at the grassroots level.
