Low Turnout Greets Governorship Poll In Ibadan

By Bode Akinbode, Osogbo

Voter aparthy was observed in most polling units within the Ibadan metropolis as most voters shunned the polliing centres in Ibadan in the ongoing Governorship and State House of Assembly poll in Oyo

This is a sharp departure when compared to the February 25 presidential and National Assembly election in which massive voters trooped out enmasse to cast their votes.

Despite the presence of heavy security deployment at strategic locations , the development,it was gathered might not be unconnected with the recent violent clashes between political thugs allegedly belonging to the two main political parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)and the All Progressives Congress,(APC) in which lives were lost.

The apprehension among residents of the state of a likely violent clashes kept most eligible voters indoors while some youths in areas such as Agbowo, Beere and Challenge among others were seen playing football on the streets

Wife of the late former governor of the state , Senator Abiola Ajimobi, chief Mrs Florence Ajimob iwho cast her vote at ward 11 unit 18, Oluyole estate in Ibadan South West local government alongside
described the turnout as unimpressive saying that the turnout was very low when compared to the presidential polls of February 25, 2023.

Mrs Ajimobil who was accompanied by her son Idris Ajimobi who is gunning for the the House Assembly seat opined that the incident was largely responsible for the low turnout She however described the electoral exercise as hitch free

Similarly, a chieftain of the APC, Chief Fola Akinosun who commended the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for coming up with an improved electoral process also frowned at the low turnout recorded attributing the voter apartthy to fear of possible violence during the poll.

In his assessment of the polls , the founder and spiritual head of shafaudeen in Islami worldwide, Prof sabit Ariyo Olagoke also appluded INEC and security agency for the manner in which the electoral excersie was conducted attributing the voter apartthy witnessed to violent clashes by party thugs and inadequate sensitization by relevant agencies .

He , however charged the National Orientation Agency NOA, to step up it’s sensitization programmes on the need to exercise their civic rights in choosing their leaders.

Others who commended INEC but expressed dismay at the low turnout included, a member of t state house of Assembly who is also seeking reelection, Hon. Babajide Gabriel representing Ibadan North 2 state constituency , the Chairman Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service, Hon. Wole Akinleye , a PDP chieftain , Alhaji Azeez Olayiwola .