November 16, (THEWILL) – Voters in Ondo State will on Saturday elect a new governor amid heavy security presence.
The election, which spans the state’s 18 local government areas, has drawn intense attention, with residents expressing concerns over safety and potential disruptions.
Security operatives, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have been deployed in large numbers to ensure a peaceful process.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that 22,239 officers were deployed to maintain law and order before, during, and after the exercise. The Defence Headquarters also bolstered the operation with troops stationed at border points and identified flashpoints, a move, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward, described as a deterrent against interference and violence.
The governorship race features 18 candidates from registered political parties.
However, the contest is widely regarded as a two-horse race between the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress and Agboola Ajayi, former deputy governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, candidates from the Accord Party, National Rescue Movement, and African Democratic Congress have endorsed Aiyedatiwa’s re-election bid.
The Independent National Electoral Commission disclosed that 1,793,914 registered voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards are eligible to vote across 3,933 polling units in the state.
There are 2,053,061 registered voters, a 3% increase from the 2023 general election figure.
Youth participation is expected to be significant, with voters aged 18 to 35 years accounting for 35.41% of the electorate. Students, representing 33.85%, form the largest occupational group among registered voters, while persons with disabilities make up 0.09%.
Ahead of the polls, President Bola Tinubu urged all stakeholders to embrace peace and respect the democratic process. He appealed for civility among candidates, party supporters, and voters to ensure a credible and violence-free election.
Ondo’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also reassured the public of INEC’s commitment to delivering a transparent, free, and fair election.
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