Domestic election observers have praised the peaceful conduct of the Osun election in Ede, saying voting proceeded smoothly alongside a strong turnout of residents across several polling units on Saturday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, observers began monitoring polling centres from about 7am before accreditation and voting commenced in Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas.
An observer with Kimpact Development Initiative, Omotola Akinropo, said polling had remained peaceful in the areas visited and commended security personnel for maintaining order.
“The election so far across Ede community is peaceful, from what I can see, and security personnel have done very well in coordinating and ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order,” he said.
Akinropo also praised the number of voters who turned out for the election and urged political parties and their supporters to accept the eventual outcome without violence.
Observers commend Osun election in Ede
Bisi Adebimpe of the Centre for Democracy and Good Governance, Abuja, also described the exercise as peaceful and expressed hope that voters would continue to comply with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
She encouraged residents to come out and exercise their voting rights without fear.
Accreditation and voting began early at several polling units monitored across Ede North and Ede South, with voters forming orderly queues while security officers maintained order.
Among the polling centres monitored were Sagba Agbogunde Ward 2, Unit 9; Orita Alajue Ward 5, Unit 1; Adogbe Ward 3, Unit 5; and CAC Ward 4, Unit 2.
Others included Obalaoye Ward 2, Unit 5, and Agip Ward 2, Unit 3.
Voters Kazeem Taofeek and Grace Abimbola also expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere at their respective polling units and said they hoped the peaceful conduct would continue until voting ended and results were announced.
The governorship election features candidates from 15 political parties, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
