Good Morning Nigerians and Welcome to SAIBLOG Ondo Election Live Updates, Breaking News And Situation Reports Centre.
SAIBLOG brings to you Ondo Election Live Updates, Breaking News And Situation Reports as events unfold in today’s election.
The 2020 Ondo State Governorship Election holds today 10th October 2020 and over 1.4 million voters in Ondo State from 203 electoral wards across 18 local government councils and 3,009 polling units in Ondo State will get to decide the person and political party that will govern their state for the next four years.
Although 17 candidates are eying the Alagbaka Government House, Akure, the state capital, eyes are only on three standard-bearers.
The three major candidates are Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, Eyitayo Jegede(Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi(Zenith Labour Party).
On poll day, the remaining 14 candidates running on the platforms of mushroom parties will pale into dignified spectators. Some of them have been endorsing either Akeredolu or Jegede.
Zoning may not be a core factor to shape the poll. The big three hail from the three zones: Akeredlu, a native of Owo, is from the North Senatorial District. Jegede, from Akure, is from the Central Senatorial District and Ajayi is from the South Senatorial District.
The analysis of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection across the councils shows voters’ enthusiasm. The 1,478, 460 cards collected represent 81 per cent of the 1,822, 346 total voter population.
There are 343, 886 uncollected PVCs, representing 19.9 per cent of the total registered voters.
Akure South, which comprises of Akure city, has the highest number of PVC collection put at 207, 238. The lowest is Akoko Southeast, which has 32, 763.
Yesterday, the umpire began the distribution of sensitive materials.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu urged electoral officers to stick to ethics and maintain neutrality.
But the PDP rejected the appointment of the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede as Chief Returning Officer, saying he may not be neutral.
The Chairman of PDP Campaign Council, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, said Ogunbodede, who hails from Owo, is a crony of the governor.
The APC, in a statement by its Deputy National Secretary, Yekini Nabena, urged security agents to protect voters from violence threats by the PDP and ZLP.
He said the threats were aimed at causing voter apathy since they know that Akeredolu enjoyed popular support because of his unprecedented achievements.
Nabena, who listed 10 reasons why the governor deserved a second term, said his unparalleled and multi-sector achievements, cross-partisan support and widespread acceptance by the people has led to defections from the PDP and ZLP to the APC.
Flaying the oppositions parties for planning violence, he said their plots will fail as the will of the people will prevail.
Highlighting Akeredolu’s achievements, Nabena said:”In critical sectors such as education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, security, youth empowerment and industrialization, Governor Akeredolu is positively redefining governance in Ondo State.
“Within three and half years, the Akeredolu administration has taken Ondo state from zero to eight functional industries; worked on over 403 kilometers of roads; renovated 660 schools; rehabilitated 1928 rehabilitated boreholes providing portable water; generated over N2.2 billion internal revenue, representing 300 percent improvement from previous administration; cleared seven months salary backlog owed workers by his predecessor; upgraded the state’s security apparatus which has also benefited the South West zone and neighbouring Niger Delta states; ensured judicious use, probity and accountability of the state’s resources and ensured even spread in the allocation of state resources and projects.”
VOTER distribution
•Akoko S/West 87,351
•Ese-Odo 66,481
•Akoko N/East 66,290
•Idanre 64,438
•Ose 63,568
•Akure North 60,744
•Akoko N/West 58,505
•Irele 57,651
•Ifedore 54,640
•Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo 54,391
•Ondo East 40,496
•Akoko S/East 32,763
Mimiko Not Qualified To Play Godfather In Ondo Politics, Says Oyedele
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Ifeoluwa Oyedele has challenged former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to tell the people what he did in eight years that qualifies him to seek to foist one of his protegees on the state.
Speaking with reporters in his country home in Okitipupa today, Oyedele said Mimiko wasted the opportunity he had on projects that had no direct benefit on the people.
Oyedele, who the Executive Secretary of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, said Mimiko did not leave any meaningful legacy that would qualify him to play he is now trying to play.
He 60 per cent of the people in Ondo State are unemployed and that those that are in employment are underemployed.
Oyedele said what the people need is a development plan prepared by experts and ratified by state House of Assembly, “such that any governor that takes over the reins of power would continue the implementation of the policy”.
He said he stepped down for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu before the APC primary to allow him to consolidate on his achievements in the last four years.
He urged the people to vote for the APC candidate to allow him to continue his good work.
Okitipupa, the headquarters of Local Government in Ondo South Senatorial District, is the home town the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Gboluga Ikengboju, who is currently a member of the House of Representatives.
Ondo Polls: Our Security Plan’s Robust, Say Police
…Arrest 25 for ‘firearms’ possession
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of election security, Leye Oyebade in Ondo State yesterday said there was robust mechanism on the ground to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.
He said the police have deployed tactical squads and experts who have worked behind the scenes and were able to crime map the state for adequate security planning.
Oyebade said the police in collaboration with the navy, have adequately secured the riverine areas of the state.
“We have been able to put a robust mechanism on ground what is going to work, mechanism such that it is going to give us the desired result which is safety.
“We have deployed to the riverine areas. At least three per unit. We have deployed men to all the collation centers and given adequate protection to INEC officials, materials and all the necessary areas that are meant to be covered.
“Our preparation has been ongoing before now, behind the scene, we have been able to crime map the state and noted the threat analysis.
“We will not be distracted. We have enough personnel to address the issues of banditry, kidnapping and all of that. We have our technical platform to track and do the needful. “We have adequate number to address the supervision of this election, personnel are sound technically. We are good to go.
“We have been able to structure the terrain, the waterways, land and air, all entry and exit points. We have been able to get adequate personnel lectured, trained, tutored to be professional.
“So, with the personnel we have on ground, appropriate logistics and with the mindset to sacrifice because this is a major event to celebrate our democracy; the police officers morale is very high. We know that the police and other security agencies are ready to protect lives and properties.
“We have been able to support in terms of protection of INEC officials and transportation of INEC materials that started for some days now and it has been ongoing without any issue.
“We have also had confidence building patrols and have assured the people of their safety. We are on ground to protect them and so, they should come out and cast their votes.
“I appeal to everyone to be guided by the guidelines for peaceful conduct of election.
“We have a code of conduct guiding the personnel that have been deployed. They have been given a tag with their names and pictures on it to identify them in the places they are posted. Their names and mobile numbers are also with the officials at the various places they are posted. That is how we will curb fake or illegal policemen.
“We have also sent out dedicated mobile numbers- 07049960674 and 09152784339. These two numbers are for members of the public to have access to us through calls and text messages. If they think there is an urgent matter going on, they can send a message or pictures, videos to us through WhatsApp on this number; 07049936417,” he said.
The DIG appealed to Nigerians to respect the movement restriction that would commence by midnight and relaxed at 6pm on Saturday, October 10.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Commissioner (CP) Bolaji Salami said at least 25 suspects have been arrested in the last two weeks for illegal possession of firearms.
The suspects were alleged to be political thugs armed for the disruption of the electioneering process but were picked out by tactical sqauds following actionable intelligence.
According to Salami, most of them have been charged to court, adding that the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure peace and security during and after the voting processes.
“We have been picking them out. We have arrested like 25 for illegal possession of firearms and charged them to court. So far, there is calm and we are well prepared to ensure this exercise goes smoothly,” he said.
INEC To PDP, Makinde: It’s Our Duty To Appoint Returning Officer
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the Returning Officer appointed for Saturday Ondo governorship election is not from the State as insinuated by chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council and Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The PDP National Campaign Council had rejected the appointment of Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as Returning Officer for the election.
Makinde raised the alarm the election will be compromised if Ogunbodede is allowed to serve as the Returning Officer, alleging he is a crony of Ondo Governor Rotimi Areredolu and hails from Owo with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
But National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said the Commission will not be drawn into speculations relating to the performance of its constitutional and statutory functions.
He insisted that INEC does not share the responsibility of appointing Returning Officers for elections with any individual or political party.
He assured the Commission is focused on the conducting free, fair and peaceful election and can’t be distracted by speculations.
According to him: “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a press conference addressed by the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday October 8, 2020 to the effect that the Commission has appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, as the Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election taking place on October 10, 2020.
“While the Commission will not be drawn into speculations relating to the performance of its constitutional and statutory functions, it is imperative to set the records straight for the benefit of the people of Ondo State and the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is the sole responsibility of the Commission to appoint a Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election and does not share this responsibility with any individual, group or Political Party”.
The commission added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Returning Officer for the Ondo Governorship election is not from Ondo State and not from the University mentioned in the said press conference.
“The Returning Officer appointed by the Commission will report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State on the date conveyed in his letter of appointment issued several days ago.
“The Commission is firmly focused on the conduct of free, fair and peaceful election and implores all the stakeholders to cooperate and play their own part in ensuring peaceful election and not to engage in unhelpful speculation.
“The main concern of the Commission is in ensuring a credible electoral process while the outcome is in the hands of the people of Ondo State”.
PDP Rejects Prof. Ogungbero As Ondo Returning Officer
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, as Chief Returning Officer of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo.
The party alleged Ondo residents cannot get free and fair election with the present composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke at a briefing in Akure, said Ogunbodede was a known crony of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and hails from Owo, hometown of Akeredolu.
Makinde, who insisted that Ogunbodede would not be a fair umpire in the proceedings by virtue of his association with Akeredolu, called on INEC to immediately replace him.
Makinde said OAU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. A S Bamire, who conducted the training of Returning Officers was not a neutral party for the purpose of Saturday’s election.
The Oyo Governor threatened that anybody that attempted to rig Saturday’s election would be reported to the international community.
He said they were crying out because once the Returning Officer made a pronouncement, it would resort to the going to the tribunal.
“Why did INEC bring somebody from Owo? Why go to OAU? Are there no other universities? We don’t want Ondo people to be cheated.
“We also take this opportunity to call on all lovers of democracy around the world to pay attention to what the APC led administration in the center is trying to do in Ondo State.
“We call on the United Nations, the European Union, the United State and the United Kingdom and indeed all allies of democracy to call INEC to order.
“We call on all security agencies in Ondo State allow themselves to be used as a tool against the will of the people.
“We commend you for all you have done so far providing the needed support and security for our candidate and our people.
“We urge you to do more. Don’t forget that history and posterity have never been kind to anyone who allow themselves to be used as a tool for injustice.
“We urge you to read the mood of the people and act accordingly. Politicians may come and go, but the people will always remain. Remember, the world is watching.”
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Ondo Election Live Updates, southern Nigeria.
7:33 AM – Ileoluji/Oke-Igbo Ondo Central SD, Ward 1, PU 001 Potential voters are checking the pasted voter lists. There is little compliance with COVID-19 rules. 2 security officers were seen at the unit. INEC officials are seen setting up their stands.
7:25 AM – Akoko South West, Ward 5, PU 14, Iworin II. INEC officials on ground.
7:20 AM – At Ward 9 (Ọba-Ilẹ̀) , PU 11 of Àkúré North LGA, as INEC officials set up voting materials as electorates check for their names on the voter’s register.
7:18 AM – Ward 09 (Oba Ile), PU 008 of Akure North LGA. Voters are checking the list for their names as INEC officials are setting up electoral materials for the day.
7:16 AM – Ondo East Bolorunduro ward 3 PU 1, market/Ekimogun high school INEC officials has posted the list of registered voters and voters are seen checking out their names.
7:15 AM– At Ward 9 (Ọba-Ilẹ̀) , PU 10 of Àkúré North LGA, everything has been set as INEC officials await the commencement of voting proper.
6:55 AM – Ward 9 (Ọba-Ilẹ̀), PU 9 of Àkúré North LGA,INEC officials are pasting the voters registry and setting up materials for the day. 4 security officials (police officers) are present.
6:50 AM – Ward 9, PU 7 Àkúré North LGA,INEC officials are pasting the voters register and setting up materials. 4 security officials are present – 3 police officers and a civil defense corp.
6:47 AM – In ward 9, PU 6 of Akure North LGA,INEC officials have began setting up for voting materials. There are six policemen at the polling unit.
6:31 AM – Ose LGA. INEC officials seen at St Anglican primary school moving some materials to their polling units. Officials were seen moving materials to their area of deployment.
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