Residents of Oyo state have their fingers crossed as they troop to the polls today, Saturday, September 22, to decide who will be the next governor of the state of Osun.
With the outcome of the ongoing election being the determining factor for the fate of the entire state for the next four years, it is no surprise that quite a large number of people have opted to participate in the exercise
Although there are 48 parties and thus 48 governorship candidates cleared to contest for September 22 governorship election in Osun state, about five of them are expected to be the major contenders jostling for the 1,246,915 votes in the state. These are a former secretary to the state government, Fatai Akinbade of the ADC; immediate past secretary to the state government, Moshood Adeoti of the ADP; the candidate of the governing APC, Adegboyega Oyetola; a senator, Ademola Adeleke of the PDP; and a former senator, Iyiola Omisore of the SDP.
The question of who will Osun people give the mandate to become the next state governor among these candidates Oyetola,Adeleke, Omisore,or a new fresh face remains on the minds of many, most especially the candidates as the outcome of the election will affect them positively or otherwise considering the funds, time and energy invested into the campaigns
Meanwhile, check below the live updates from the Governorship election
10.12am: The APC governorship candidate has just voted.
9. 51am: People conduct themselves in orderly manner as voting commences in LA primary school, ward 1 unit 2. The APC governorship candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, is yet to arrive.
9.40am: Senator Adeleke addresses the newsmen. The PDP candidate said he would emerge the winner of the election, provided it is free and fair.
8.45am: Accreditation of voters started in Oyetola home town, Iragbiji.
8.44am: Reports reaching us from our correspondent state that the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, Senator Adeleke has cast his vote. He reportedly voted at about 8:08am. Senator Adeleke voted at Ward 07 in Sagba Abogunde area of Ede North.
8. 30am: There is morning shower in Ede area of the state. Hopefully the people of Ede will defy the early morning rain to come and vote for their preferred candidates.
8am: Polling units are being set up by INEC staff across the state as residents troop out to check their names on the voters accreditation list.
8am: Quick facts you should know as the election starts in a moment: 1,687,492 registered voters 48 governorship candidates 1,246,915 PVC distributed
7.51 am: Road leading to INEC office cordoned off by security officials. Our correspondent can confirm that Osogbo residents came out early to check out their names on the list of accredited voters. There’s a general lull in most parts of Osogbo and the road leading to Ede.
Saturday, September 22: 7am: The election day. INEC has promised that the election activities will kick-off at 8am this morning. However, voters are already seen trooping to various polling units, ready to exercise their franchise.
As at the time of this report, no violence was being recorded as everywhere remained serene and calm
