Osun LG Polls: Voters turn out enmasse, applaud exercise

There was a large turn-out of voters during the Local Government election held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in the 72 wards of Osun state.

The exercise was reported to have been unopposed in over 300 wards as the the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) boycotted the exercise for alleged “failure to adhere to extant law of the land and electoral principles “.

Our reporter, who went round the three senatorial districts confirmed large turnout of voters with rare enthusiasm.

At Moore ward in Ile-ife, a voter at the polling unit 7, Mr Rafiu Adedire said the exercise was peaceful as well as orderly.

He commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) for setting an enviable pace in such a contest.

In the same vein, a social commentator in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Mr Jide Adedoyin has lauded the peaceful conduct of the poll, saying it was a distinct process in comparison with what is obtainable in other states.

“I commend the Governor for the introduction of the Parliamentary system of government, obviously, this has solved many problems that could have marred the process.

“We are all witnesses to what happened in Delta State recently, where a local government election was seriously marred with violence and large scale of irregularities.

“Governor Aregbesola with this functional system has taken our democracy to another level, this is indeed commendable “, he said.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa has adjudged the exercise as a huge success.

He expressed surprise at the level of turn out of voters, saying it was a rare display of political consciousness among the electorate.

“I marvelled at the number of people that turnout at the various wards. Reports reaching me across the state indicate good turnout.

“This success was because government of the state has put in place necessary machinery to make the election a success.

“Everything was done by the government as if it was a general election and I am happy the people came out to show they are with us and with our party.” he said

In the same vein, the Chief of Staff to the Osun State Government, Mr Gboyega Oyetola in his remarks eulogised OSIEC for prompt deployment of electoral materials to the voting units.

He also expressed delight in the level of turn out of the electorate, especially at his hometown in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of the State.

“The election has been peaceful, fair and free. The turnout has been quite impressive”, Oyetola said.