May 22: Voter apathy mars Oyo LG election

Oyo state local government election held across the 33 council areas of the state on Saturday, witnessed a low turnout, despite wholesale awareness by the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).

Though, the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not participate in the election , yet its logo appears on the ballot paper, while no fewer than 17 other opposition political parties are expected to participate in today’s poll, according to the OYSIEC boss, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN.

Materials for the exercise,  were also said to have arrived most polling units in the state  late, while sources attributed the delay in Ibadan to the early morning rainfall.

Most polling units across the state had few voters, as residents defied the movement restriction order of 6:00AM to 3:00PM by the state government, while others preferred to stay at home.

As a result of this development, it was a huge opportunity for commercial vehicles and ‘Okadas’ around Ring Road, Adeoyo, Oluyole, Dugbe, Challenge, Mokola, Ojo Alakia-Isebo, Iyana-Church, Iwo Road, Monatan and Agodi-Gate areas of Ibadan to reap riches with the commuters preferring to reach various destinations.

In a related development, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa zones also witnessed normal activities, according to sources.

Sources further hinted that some parts of the state, including Eruwa in Ibarapa East Local Government and Ogbomoso, witnessed some pockets of violence

Also, to ensure a peaceful exercise, the Oyo State Police Command, had earlier announced the deployment of over 9,000 police officers across the state, just as its counterpart – the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC)  in state, also deployed 2,800 operatives to provide additional cover.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, who voted at the Ward 11, Polling Unit 1, Abayomi Open Space, Abayomi Bus Stop, Iwo Road, Ibadan, said that he was so happy seeing people exercising their civic rights by voting for the candidates of their choice in a friendly and conducive atmosphere.

“I am quite happy about what we have seen so far because the people are doing what they are supposed to do.

“The security agencies are there and doing their work. From what they have told me, there is nothing overwhelming as they are on top of the situation”, he said