Ondo Decides: Tension Rises as 1.7 Million Voters Head to the Polls

Tension has reached a boiling point across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State as voters head to the polls to elect their next governor. The governorship race features a fierce contest between the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The winner will occupy the Alagbaka Government House.

With 1,793,914 registered voters ready to cast their ballots, preparations are in full swing. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 17 political parties to participate. At the same time, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have ramped up measures to ensure a smooth electoral process. Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, pledged to deploy over 22,000 officers to maintain peace and security across the state.

Security personnel have already been spotted in key locations such as Akure, Odigbo, Ondo Town, Okitipupa, Irele, Ikare, and Igbokoda. However, much of the anticipation centers on the southern senatorial district, home to 16 of the 17 governorship candidates. Both frontrunners, Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi, hail from Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas, respectively, intensifying local interest.

Opinions among residents are divided. While some prioritize voting for candidates from their locality, others believe that voting based on merit rather than regional loyalty is the path to progress. Oluseun Isaac, a voter from Ilaje currently residing in Akure, expressed his commitment to voting based on his conscience. “Democracy is about choosing the best candidate, not limiting oneself to local preferences,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs. Adeyemi Semiwo from Okitipupa supports the push for a governor from Ondo South, emphasizing the zone’s developmental needs. “I support any candidate from our region because it’s time for Ondo South to catch up,” she stated.

As the polls open, all eyes are on Ondo State to see who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes governorship election.