There is a heavy security presence in most parts of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Checks by Investors King revealed that troops of the Nigerian Army have taken over places described as red spots in Akure, the state capital and other major towns in the state.
Election observers and monitors among other stakeholders have likened the heavy presence of security agencies including the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to pockets of bloody clashes witnessed during campaigns.
Political parties participating in the poll including All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and others have concluded their campaigns on Wednesday and solicited for votes from Ondo masses.
There were bloody clashes in previous days between the supporters of APC and PDP at Ipele and Owo towns, both in Owo Local Government Area. Both parties had blamed each other for the cause of rue violence, just as the then PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede alleged an assassination attempt during the attacks.
The attacks were renewed on Wednesday as no fewer than six persons were injured when suspected political thugs clashed in Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
It was gathered that the clash occurred between members of the APC and those of the PDP in the local government.
A source in the town said the victims had been taken to the intensive care unit of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Specialist Hospital in Akure, the state capital, for medical treatment.
The Director of Media and Publicity of PDP, Mr Adeyemi Fasoranti, alleged that the attackers were APC thugs who unleashed terror on the people because of the success of the rally of the opposition party, on Tuesday.
Similarly, another chieftain of the PDP, Bosede Salami said the lives of PDP members were being threatened by suspected political thugs and cultists invited by political gladiators in the town.
Reacting, the chairman of the APC Mr Ade Adetimehin denied the allegation, saying he did not receive any report that his members were involved in any attack.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami in a statement said the command commenced an investigation into the incident.
The Independent National Electoral Commission said there 2,053,061 registered voters. Male voters are 1,034,006 (50.36 %), while female voters are 1,034,964 (47.89 %). Youths emerged the highest demography with 726,944 (35.41 %).
Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Agboola Ajayi is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sola Ebiseni is of the Labour Party, Abbass Mimiko is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, among other 16 governorship candidates.
Meanwhile, officers of the Nigeria Police Force have arrived in the state for the forthcoming off-cycle election.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, at the last stakeholders’ peace accord meeting with candidates of political parties in Akure, said a total of 34,657 personnel would be deployed, to maintain peace before during and after the November 16 poll.
The IGP, who was represented at the event, by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Sylvester Alabi said, “A detailed operation order for the election has been prepared with adequate police personnel to be deployed. The Nigeria Police will deploy a total of 34,657 personnel to the polling units, wards/LGA collation centres as well as other strategic locations.
In some areas of Akure visited, it could be observed that more security personnel have arrived in the town.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the development, saying the command was still expecting arrival of other cops.
To complement police efforts and ensure peace and order in the state before, during and after the poll, the Defence Headquarters has deployed troops in significant numbers.
The DHQ stated that the deployment was to support the Nigeria Police Force and ensure a smooth election in the state.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Buba Edward said the presence of troops would ensure that voters can exercise their franchise without harassment.
Buba also reported that various operations in the northern parts of the country led to the deaths of 88 terrorists and the arrest of 228 suspects.
Confirming wave of political clashes and allegations of attacks between major political parties in the state, Yiaga Africa has urged security agencies that would be on duty during the poll to carry out their legitimate duties without being partial to any political party.
Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chair for the 2024 Ondo Election Mission, who made the call on Thursday at a press conference in Akure, however, charged the security agencies to arrest anyone caught engaging in vote-buying and selling to stamp out the menace.
Nwagwu noted that the act of vote-buying and selling by politicians has greatly undermined the election process in the country.
Speaking on the expectations of the people from the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yiaga Africa, called on the commission to ensure it passes integrity test which it would be subjected on Saturday during the gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
Yiaga Africa, also urged INEC to ensure election materials arrive early at the polling units.
Meanwhile, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, promised to ensure that sensitive materials are distributed timeously.
Supervising the distribution of sensitive materials to all 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State on Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters in Akure, Babalola said the early distribution is a demonstration of INEC’s preparedness to conduct a transparent, free, and fair election.
Representatives from various political parties, as well as security agencies, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Immigration, Customs, and the Department of State Services, were present during the distribution process.
In a new twist to the political dynamism in Ondo, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate for the poll.
The three-member panel of justices, in a unanimous decision with a lead judgement by Justice Hamma Barka delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, declared Ebiseni unqualified to contest to the poll, ordering INEC to pull down his name in the list of contestants.
