Voting is ongoing in the Ondo Governorship election covering the 18 local government areas of the state.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is confident of winning the Ondo Governorship election for another four years, hoping of securing victory on divine power.
“Mine [confidence] is about God and that God in His infinite mercy will give me victory,” Akeredolu said after casting his vote at Ward 05, Unit 06, Ijebu 2, Owo, Ondo state. “So, my confidence is in God and I know God will give me victory.”
When asked what he would do if the poll does not turn out in his favour, Akeredolu noted that he has never thought about that but reiterated that he would be victorious.
“Let me tell you something, I don’t ever think about that. So, I don’t know what will happen,” the governor admitted. “All I know is that when my victory is announced, everybody will rejoice.”
While commenting on the conduct of the election so far, he admitted that though the early morning rain may have affected the exercise, he expressed satisfaction that “We have voted in a peaceful manner.”
The Governor urged voters to cast their ballot, and ensure they defend their votes and make them count.
“Go, stay, cast your vote and move out of the place but don’t move too far and make ensure you protect your vote so that your vote can be counted,” he added.
Meanwhile, a drama played out on Saturday at the polling unit of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State Governorship Election.
This occurred at Polling Unit 9, Ward 2 in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.
The polling unit is situated at the Sacred Heart Primary School along Cathedral Road in the state capital.
Ad-hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been conducting the exercise smoothly before it was the turn of Mr. Jegede and his wife, Eno.
The PDP candidate and his wife had arrived at the venue at about 9:07am and later joined the queue yo cast their votes.
They waited for about two hours in the queue before it got to their turn at about 11:02am.
However, the smart card reader failed to read their thumbprints while they stepped aside for the next voter in the queue to get accredited.
A few moments later, the issue was resolved and the couple was allowed to cast their ballots.
Despite the development, Jedede condemned the setback and faulted the long voting time.
He questioned why the card reader failed at a time when it was his turn and that of his wife to vote.
The PDP candidate also decried the absence of tech experts from INEC at his polling unit.
