By Kunle Owolabi, Political Editor, reporting from Osun
Today’s election in Osun State is a test of the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
Amupitan assumed office last year.
Theliberationnews gathered that despite reports of possible violence arising from politically charged atmosphere in the state, a tour of major cities and local government areas revealed the opposite.
Theliberationnews correspondent on ground in the state explained that if what was obtainable in places visited as at Friday night was anything to go by, the election may witness little or no violence at all.
Ede, Ife, ikire are possibly areas that may witness chaos owing to the volatile of the atmoshere and due to the fact that major governoship frontrunners halls from those towns.
Adeleke is from Ede and Bola Oebamiji is from Ikire and each candidate is positioning themselves to make sure they win their respective polling area of strength.
From Ikire to Gbogan, Ode Omu, Sekona, Akuda and Osogbo, the only visible thing is calmness, apart from report minor fracas in Obaagu and Modakeke. Security personnel are conspicuous on the roads across the state as security officials (Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC) well positioned at strategic locations on the highway.
The popular Orisumbare and other markets in Osogbo metropolis closed by 5pm on Friday (yesterday) signaling preparedness for the poll.
Some residents who spoke to our reporter expressed readiness to perform their civic responsibility.
“I’m a first-time voter and so ready to see what it feels casting my vote. I’m hopeful the election will be peaceful so it doesn’t discourage me and others in my age bracket performing our civic responsibilities for the first time,” an observer told t Theliberationnews.
It is, however, still getting to mid-day and the election is going on smoothly.
At Ilare ward in Ile-Ife, Engr. Kayode Adereti, the Deputy Governoship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, said the elction is in the early purs and there is peace. He also noted that INEC arrived very early and the election is going on without any glitches.
At his polling unit also in Ile-Ife, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi also lauded the security agencies and INEC for the smooth running of the election.
