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Aiyedatiwa honours Akeredolu
By Dayo Johnson & Dapo Akinrefon, AKURE
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, on Sunday, dedicated his victory in Saturday’s governorship election, to his late boss, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.
He said: “I dedicate this victory, first to the Almighty God and second, to the memories of our departed leader and former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.”
Aiyedatiwa, in his acceptance speech after he was declared winner of the election, promised “to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to our collective progress.
“We will continue to prioritize the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
“Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear State.
“I, therefore, want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collaborate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people.
“Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities.
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The umpires
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How Ondo citizens voted
A – 186
AA – 58
AAC – 304
ADC – 4,138
ADP -1,522
APC – 366,781
APGA -622
APM -162
APP – 83
LP – 1,162
NNPP – 206
NRM – 298
PDP – 113,845
PRP -221
SDP – 438
YP – 134
YPP – 216
ZLP – 2,692
Total valid votes: 49,7077
Reject Votes: 11,886
Total votes cast: 508, 963
PVC collected: 1,757,205
Registered Voters: Over 2 million
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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Ondo State governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa defeated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, securing the majority of votes across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Aiyedatiwa scored 366,781 votes, while Ajayi polled 117,835 votes across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
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Results from all LGs announced so far
1– Akure North
APC 14, 451
PDP 5, 787
2– Okitipupa
APC 26, 811
PDP 10, 233
3– Akoko Northeast
APC 25, 657
PDP 5, 072
4–Akure South
APC 32, 969
PDP 17, 926
5– Ose
APC 16, 555
PDP 4, 472
6– Akoko Northwest
APC 25, 010
PDP 5, 502
7– Akoko Southeast
APC 12, 140
PDP 2, 692
8– Ondo West
APC 20, 755
PDP 6, 387
9– Owo
APC 31, 914
PDP 4, 740
10–Akoko Southwest
APC 29, 700
PDP 5, 517
11–Irele
APC 17, 117
PDP 6, 601
12– Ifedore
APC 14, 157
PDP 5, 897
13– Ondo East
APC 8, 163
PDP 2, 843
14 — Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo
APC 16, 600
PDP 4, 442
15– ldanre
APC 9, 114
PDP 8, 940
16–Odigbo
APC – 26,683
LP:34
PDP: 9,348
17: Ilaje
APC: 24474
PDP:3632
18. Ese-Odo
APC: 14,511
PDP:7,814
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Sanwo-Olu visits situation room
By Olasunkammi Akoni
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of South-West Governors Forum, said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would continue the All Progressives Congress, APC’ agenda of economic and infrastructural growth in Ondo State.
Sanwo-Olu, who is also the Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election, gave the assurance in his address when he visited the party’s situation room in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
He visited the Situation Room alongside the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Chairman, Southern Governors Forum and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Hyancinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), among other top leaders.
Speaking during the visit to the Situation Room, Sanwo-Olu thanked the party faithful and volunteers, who commended him and other APC chieftains for leading the ruling party to an obvious landslide victory in the gubernatorial poll.
The governor assured them that their labour would not be in vain.
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Yiaga puts voters’ turnout 27.6%
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The Yiaga Africa Watching The Vote has said the Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State recorded very low turnout of voters.
This is contained in its preliminary report released in Akure and jointly signed by Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu and Cynthia Mbamalu, Chairman of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission and Director of Programs for Yiaga Africa respectively.
According to Yiaga Africa, it’s “preliminary estimates reveal that turnout for the 2024 Ondo governorship election will fall between 24.8% and 27.6%, based on results collated from the polling units, using the PRVT’s election observation methodology.
“If INEC’s official turnout falls within WTV’s estimated range, then it accurately reflects the voters’ turnout at polling units.
“While the results collation process continues, we urge INEC to ensure transparency and adhere to resultscollation guidelines.
“We also urge the security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan as they secure the results collation process.
“Yiaga Africa calls on political parties, stakeholders, and citizens to remain calm and maintain peace as INEC collates the election results.
“Yiaga Africa assures the Nigerian people and stakeholders that it has received and processed its data from the sampled polling units and will share its findings on the results only after INEC officially announces the election results in accordance with the Electoral Act.“
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Results from all 15 LGs announced so far
1– Akure North
APC 14, 451
PDP 5, 787
2– Okitipupa
APC 26, 811
PDP 10, 233
3– Akoko Northeast
APC 25, 657
PDP 5, 072
4–Akure South
APC 32, 969
PDP 17, 926
5– Ose
APC 16, 555
PDP 4, 472
6– Akoko Northwest
APC 25, 010
PDP 5, 502
7– Akoko Southeast
APC 12, 140
PDP 2, 692
8– Ondo West
APC 20, 755
PDP 6, 387
9– Owo
APC 31, 914
PDP 4, 740
10–Akoko Southwest
APC 29, 700
PDP 5, 517
11–Irele
APC 17, 117
PDP 6, 601
12– Ifedore
APC 14, 157
PDP 5, 897
13– Ondo East
APC 8, 163
PDP 2, 843
14 — Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo
APC 16, 600
PDP 4, 442
15– ldanre
APC 9, 114
PDP 8, 940
16–Odigbo
APC – 26,683
LP:34
PDP: 9,348
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Again, INEC shifts collation of results to noon
By Dayo Johnson & Dapo Akinrefon, AKURE
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has shifted the collation of results for the Ondo State governorship election from 5am to noon.
The Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, had earlier announced that the collation of the remaining five council areas will resume by 5am (Sunday).
But later he said it will commence by noon.
Prof Akinwunmi is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja.
Akinwunmi, who announced the recess, said it is to give room for the arrival of results from the remaining council areas.
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Ese Odo, Ilaje and Odigbo left
The remaining local government areas yet to be announced are Ese Odo, Ilaje and Odigbo.
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Aiyedatiwa wins two more LGs
Okitipupa
AAPC – 26,811
PDP – 10,233
Total Registered Voters – 126,021
Valid Votes – 37,597
Rejected Votes – 858
Accredited voters – 38,814
Total Votes cast – 38,455
Akure North
APC – 14,451
PDP – 5,787
Registered Voters – 8,7293
Accredited Voters – 21,608
Total Valid Votes – 20,942
Rejected Votes – 648
Total Votes Cast – 21,590
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Aiyedatiwa leads, as collation continues
By Dayo Johnson & Dapo Akinrefon, AKURE
These are the results from 13 local government areas.
So far, Governor Aiyedatiwa is ahead. Collation (of results from the remaining five local government areas) resumed this morning at 5 a.m.
1 Ifedore
APC 14157
PDP 5897
Reg voters 83831
Accredited voters 21024
Valid votes 20438
2 Ondo East
APC 8163
PDP 2843
Registered voters 52274
Accredited voters 11864
Valid votes 11544
Rejected votes 308
3 Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo.
APC- 16600
PDP – 4442.
Registers voters 81954
Accredited voters 22256
4 Idanre
APC 9113
PDP 8940
Registered voters 91392
Accredited voters 19712
Rejected votes 748
Valid votes 18430
5 Irele
APC 17117
PDP 6601
Registered Voters 78982
Accredited voters 24772
Valid votes 24031
Rejected votes 718
6 Akoko South West
APC 29700
PDP 5517
Registered voters 116368
Accredited voters 36300
7 Akoko North West
APC 25101
PDP 5502
Registered voters 84908
Accredited voters 31265
8 Owo
APC 31,914
PDP 4840
Registered voters 143751
Accredited voters 38340
9** Ondo West
APC 20,755
PDP 6387
10 Akoko South East
APC 12140
PDP 2692
Registered voters: 41978
Accredited voters 15150
11 Ose local government
APC 16555
PDP 4472
Registered voters 78307
Valid votes 21265
12 Akure South
APC 32969
PDP 17926
13 Akoko North East
APC 25657
PDP 5072
Registered voters 93,285
Accredited voters 31,734
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Results from Auga-Akoko
UNIT 10 (ULLO UNIT)
APC : 151
PDP : 71
UNIT 11 (BODE OBANLA UNIT)
APC : 204
PDP:0
UNIT 12 (ILEPA UNIT)
APC :180
PDP: 0
UNIT 13 ( OKE-IGBAGBO UNIT)
APC : 98
PDP :0
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Result from Akoko South West
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There was widespread vote buying – Yiaga Africa
By Dapo Akinrefon
An election observer monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, which said it deployed 300 stationary observers to 300 polling units across the 18 LGAs, alleged that there were widespread vote buying during the governorship election in Ondo State.
In its preliminary report, Messrs Ezenwa Nwagwu and Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes for Yiaga Africa stated that the election began “calmly and orderly, demonstrating citizens’ interest in participating peacefully.”
It, however, commended operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, for “apprehending an individual allegedly involved in vote trading at the St. Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure.”
The report reads: “As Yiaga Africa reported in its pre-election statement, the lead-up to the elections was relatively peaceful. On election day, the process began calmly and orderly, demonstrating citizens’ interest in participating peacefully.
“Citizens arrived early at their assigned polling units to cast their votes in the gubernatorial elections. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the transport union groups successfully deployed election officials and materials across the state.
By 7:30 am, election officials had arrived at 71% of the polling units. By 9:30 am, accreditation and voting were underway in 91% of the observed polling units.
“Yiaga Africa observed widespread occurrence of vote buying across several polling units, which is becoming a permanent feature of our electoral process.
“We strongly condemn this practice, as it contributes to electoral corruption and political inequality.”
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APC bought votes for N10,000; PDP, N5,000 – CDD-EAC
By Dapo Akinrefon
In its preliminary report, the CDD Election Analysis Centre, CDD-EAC said the election was fraught with irregularities such as voters’ inducement in some council areas.
In a statement by its Lead, CDD-EAC Observation Mission Ondo, and Director, CDD-West Africa CDD-EAC, Professor Victor Adetula, and Dr Dauda Garuba, they lamented that vote trading was prevalent in some areas like Okitipupa and Odigbo council areas.
The group said: “CDD-EAC notes a lot of instances of vote buying In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 per voter and PDP N3,000.
“In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), reports of vote-buying were noted, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 and PDP N3,000 per voter.
“Our observers also noted that some party agents started transferring money to voters to circumvent having to hold cash.
“In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), Vote-buying was observed at this polling unit, with PDP offering N3,000 and APC offering N5,000 to voters.”
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INEC reacts to BVAS not capturing elderly
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Police Commission decries vote buying
The Police Service Commission, PSC, has reported that instances of vote buying at some polling centres during the Ondo State governorship election.
The PSC had deployed staff to monitor the conduct of police officers.
The Commission lamented that vote buying had become a recurring issue in elections across the country.
Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission’s spokesman said: “There were reports of pockets of vote buying in some voting centres, which have become a recurring issue in elections in the country.”
Ani, however, commended the security personnel deployed for the election in the state.
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APC wins all Polling Units in Etikan Ward, Ilaje LGA, ONDO STATE
ONDO 2024 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS ETIKAN WARD, ILAJE LGA
UNIT 001
APC : 80
PDP : 14
UNIT 002
APC : 141
PDP : 11
UNIT 003
APC : 138
PDP : 24
UNIT 004
APC : 114
PDP : 24
UNIT 005
APC : 154
PDP : 25
UNIT 006
APC : 212
PDP : 48
UNIT 007
APC : 143
PDP : 0
UNIT 008
APC : 212
PDP : 02
UNIT 009
APC : 171
PDP : 11
UNIT 010
APC : 178
PDP : 06
UNIT 011
APC : 139
PDP : 10
UNIT 012
APC : 241
PDP : 27
UNIT 013
APC : 127
PDP : 37
TOTAL
APC : 2050
PDP : 239
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More than 90% of polling unit results from Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election have been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing (IReV) portal as of 6:18 p.m., a Vanguard Online review shows.
The latest upload, according to the portal, was recorded at 6:18 p.m.
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BVAS not capturing elderly, INEC responds
A Presiding Officer, Miss Angela Oshogwe, at the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State has said that the Bio modal Voter Accreditation System( BVAS) machine could not capture faces of some elderly voters.
Oshogwe, manning Poling Unit 19, Ward 11 Olamojuba, Ondo in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, said that she had lodged the complaints to the concerned authorities.
According to her, there is the possibility of the BVAS to function before the close of voting.
Reacting to the complaint, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, told Newsmen that the commission was aware of the development in “very limited” polling units.
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More than 47% of polling unit results from Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election have been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing (IReV) portal as of 4:06 p.m., a Vanguard Online review shows.
Video: They won’t create jobs, use allocations, but are here doing ‘See-and-Buy’ – Mimiko, ZLP candidate
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Sorting, collation begin at 2:30pm – Presiding Officer
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Gunshots in Ondo community, voters flee
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Suspected thugs reportedly fired gunshots sporadically at Ofosu village, in ldanre council area of Ondo state. Voters fled.
Sources said that the thugs stormed the village early on Saturday before the commencement of the election, firing gunshots sporadically.
The incident, it was learnt, caused panic, forcing people to stay indoors to avoid stray bullets.
A community leader told newsmen: “We don’t know who they are. But they were firing gunshots into the air in some parts of the village since early morning.
“Ofosu is a village in Ondo, close to Benin in Edo State. No casualty, but people in the village are staying indoors.”
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Foreign observers in Akure
By Dare Fasube
Foreign election observers at Oba Adekunle polling unit, Ibule Junction, Akure.
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Ayedatiwa’s running mate, Adelami votes, urges people to come out
By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami voted at his Igboroko 2, Ward 3, Unit 16 in Owo Local Government, at about 9:40 a.m.
Speaking with newsmen ashortly after exercising his franchise, Omilani asked residents of Owo and people of the state to come out and vote.
In his words: “Your votes is your power. I urge you all to come out to vote, in so doing you will be contributing to the promotion of good governance and greater Ondo State.”
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We didn’t send thugs to Idanre – APC
By Dapo Akinrefon
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr Steve Otaloro, has debunked claims by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that APC sent thugs to Ofosun in Idanre Local Government Area to disrupt the election.
The party spokesperson said information reaching them indicated that there is “nothing like that.”
Otaloro said: “I’m in the situation room of APC right now. Let me say first and foremost, the person you mentioned is the deputy governorship candidate of Agboola Ajayi of the PDP.
“And if you recall, PDP had a press conference two days ago alleging the kind of violence that took place in that place was by APC.
“All the places he mentioned, was he on ground in all those places? He’s supposed to be at his polling unit. Even if he was called, he should have done proper diligence to be on ground.
“They told us there was nothing like that. Voting is going on orderly. If they have any issue with that, they just want to create an issue out of nothing.
“Whatever violence that is happening, they should investigate it properly. But I can assure you it is not from our members.”
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Ondo election: ‘INEC disappointed me,’ Ajayi, PDP
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ondo State governorship election, Chief Agboola Ajayi, has expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
Ajayi said this after voting at Apoi Ward 11, Unit 004 at RCM Idumado Quarters Kiribo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
He said: “The system has been compromised. It is sad INEC can’t conduct election well in one state.
“BVAS aren’t working. It took about 10 minutes to capture me.
“I think it is deliberate on the part of INEC and the REC. And we’ve said this several times that the woman can’t be fair.
“I have had series of complaints from across the state. People are complaining of vote buying. It is a very shameful exercise.”
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Not even poor sight can stop me from voting – 86-year-old Pa Arije
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Ajayi, PDP candidate votes
By Rotimi Onomoleya
PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi just voted in his polling unit 4 Idumado ward 2, in Kiribo, Ese Local Government.
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Ondo election: DSS arrests vote-buyer with bags of money
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have arrested a suspected vote-buyer in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State.
He was arrested at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007 outside St. Stephen’s Primary School, Akure, Ondo State.
The suspect was apprehended with two bags of money meant to be used to induce the voters during the ongoing election.
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SDP and ZLP candidates
By Dayo Johnson
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, casting his vote at Okitipupa.
Governorship candidate of ZLP, Dr Abass Mimiko, after voting at Unit 20, Ward 7, Yaba, Ondo West.
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Thugs have invaded Idanre – Akingbaso, PDP dep governorship candidate
By Dapo Akinrefon
The Deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Mr. Festus Akingbaso, has raised the alarm over influx of thugs in Idanre local government area of the state.
Akingbaso, a member of the House of Representatives, spoke to newsmen after casting his vote at Polling unit 005, Oke Imikan.
The lawmaker said he was impressed with the turnout of voters and security situation so far but expressed worry over the activities of thugs.
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Governor Aiyedatiwa votes
By Dayo Johnson & Dare Fasube
At exactly 8:55 a.m. today, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa arrived at Igbo Ward 4 in the Obenla community of Ilaje Local Government Area and cast his vote in the ongoing Ondo State election.
He declared the process peaceful.
The governor commended the organisation and efficiency at the polling station, noting that the process was both orderly and transparent.
According to him “It’s encouraging to see the exercise going smoothly here. I am hopeful that this is reflective of the experience across the state.”
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Video: Security personnel manning Ondo/Osun border
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Ondo election: I have voted, it was good and smooth – Pa Amuwo
By Dayo Johnson
After casting his vote, 85-year-old Joseph Awuyo expressed satisfaction with the early arrival of voting materials at Unit 3 post office, ward 14, Oba Akoko, Akoko South West.
Pa Awuyo told Vanguard: “The INEC people arrived here before 7a.m., and we only waited for the process to commence.
“I came out early because of my challenge. I can’t walk and I am having issues with my sight.
“I was accredited, waited and voted. It was good and smooth.”
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The old, physically-challenged ready to vote
By Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon & Dare Fasube
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Where’s my name?
By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Voters checking names from accreditation list with party agents available.
This is Magistrate Court Verification Centre, Registration Area Lisa 020, Akure South, code – 006
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No entry: Police stop “immigrants” from Osun
By Dare Fasube
The Police and Nigeria Army officers stop vehicles coming from Osun from entering Ondo at the Popular Owena town border bridge.
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All set at Idanre
By Dapo Akinrefon
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INEC officials set up at Oba Akoko
INEC officials at Unit 3 Post Ofice, Ward 14, Oba Akoko, Akoko South West.
By Dayo Johnson
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83-year-old Pa Awuyo, others waiting to vote
By Dayo Johnson
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Idanre Road
By Dapo Akinrefon
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Photos: Police on duty, deserted roads
By Dare Fasube
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Election materials arrive
By Dare Fasube
Arrival of voting materials around 7:06 a.m. at the Magistrate Court Polling Unit 20.
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Ondo State governorship election is today, Saturday, 16 November 2024.
We will bring you live updates in pictures, videos, stories and more as two million voters head to the ballot box.
The voters will decide who will be the next governor of Ondo State from among 17 candidates.
Voters
1.034 million males (50.36 per cent) and 1.019 million females (49.64 per cent) were registered for the election.
726,944 (35.41 per cent) of the registered voters are youths, while 721,982 (35.17 per cent) are middle-aged.
The candidates
*The candidates are the incumbent, Governor Aiyedatiwa of the APC; running mate is Olayide Adelami, a former clerk of the National Assembly.
*Chief Agboola Ajayi of the PDP (Ondo South) has a serving National Assembly member, Festus Akingbaso, as running mate.
*The former Secretary General of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Olusola Ebiseni is contesting on the platform of the Labour Party. His deputy is a former commissioner, Dayo Awude.
*Bamidele Akingboye is the candidate of the Social Democratic Party. His deputy, Mrs Susan Alabi, has since resigned and joined forces with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
*Olugbenga Edema is the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP and his deputy is Rotimi Aderemi.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cleared 17 candidates for the Ondo governorship election, only the above five were “visible” during the campaigns.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.