–APC party leaders shun polling units, party supporters stranded

— LG autonomy ‘ ll enhance grassroots dev- Says Aiyedatiwa

— Describes PDP’s withdrawal from contest, act of cowardice

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Voters apathy and late arrival of electoral materials marred Saturdays local government elections across the 18 areas of the state.

Also, many leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress in the state shunned the polling units.

Reports across the state indicated that
the elections scheduled to be held from 8.00a.m to 2.00 p.m. did not start in most polling units until 11.00 a.m. lt was however generally peaceful.

In many of the voting centres visited, voters failed to show up while the state independent Electoral Commission officials and security personnel waited endless for them.

At Ward 2, unit 9,Gbogi/ isinkan 1, Sacred Heart Primary School, Akure, only 20 out of the 738 registered voters have exercise their franchise at 11am yesterday.

Also, at Ward 7, Unit 4, Ojumu House, Arakale, in Akure South council area of the state only 96 out of the 922 registered voter showed up to cast their votes.

In Akure North, vanguard gathered that same scenario played out at Ward 9, unit 3 St Paul Anglican Primary School, Obaile.

Meanwhile, many of the political appointees and leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress across the state, shunned the exercise.

Only leaders of other political parties that participated in the exercise were visible at the polling centres.

Vanguard learnt that the leaders stay away from the election because of lack of funds to mobilise the voters across the state.

Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen after voting at Polling Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje local government area of the state, governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that local government autonomy will enhance grassroots development in the country.

The governor, reiterated the commitment of his administration to the effective running of the local government system in the state in line with the provisions of the law.

Aiyedatiwa while commending there State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) for the seamless conduct of the poll, lauded the people of the State for participating in the election.

He said “I just cast my vote without any crisis. This is just what happened on the Nov. 16 election, which was adjudged to be free and fair.

The materials arrived early, and the security and the citizens are here they are participating, and at the end of the day, just as we have in the last election, we don’t expect anything else.

Speaking on the withdrawal of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party from the election, the governor, said that
“For the PDP to pull out, that is cowardness.

“They participated in the whole process, the state electoral body, released the timetable for the election, I don’t know the reason for that.

“Maybe the fear of losing, every election has its own logistics and other political parties are participating whatever reason that made them withdraw, I am not privy to that.
Recall that the PDP, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo, said that the Ondo Independent Electoral Commission ODIEC’s, credibility, transparency, and impartiality have failed the integrity test.

Igbabo said that ” the decision is a product of several layers of consultations of party leaders, stakeholders and the National Secretariat of our great party.

” Our party fielded 15 Chairmanship Candidates in 15 Local Government Areas and 131 Councillorship Candidates.

“But, from all indications, the Ondo Independent Electoral Commission ODIEC’s, credibility, transparency, and impartiality have failed the integrity test.

“Recent observations and reports point to a troubling pattern of double standards by ODIEC, raising serious doubts about their ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.”

“As a responsible political party committed to democracy and the rule of law, we can not, in good conscience, confer legitimacy on this compromised process by participating in the election.”

“We have, therefore, resolved to withdraw our participation in this exercise to uphold the integrity of our party and our unwavering belief in credible electoral practices.”

Also, Speaking with newsmen after voting, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, described the election as peaceful and orderly.

Adeniyan, who voted at ward 7, unit 4, Ojumu House, in Arakale, Akure, expressed satisfaction with the election, saying the election has been peaceful.

He said “the turnout could be better but this is something that is always associated with local government election across the country but so far so good.

“I think this is a good outing for Ondo state conducting local government election and contributing to the proclamation of the Mr. President for the enthronement of local government autonomy.

He said the report from there areas have been encouraging and peaceful.