By Kamsi Anayo
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun state arrived at his polling unit in Ede North Local Government Area at 8:29 a.m. on Saturday, ahead of the commencement of voting in the Osun State governorship election.
Adeleke arrived at Unit 9, Ward 2, a minute before the scheduled 8:30 a.m. commencement of voting, as voters and INEC ad hoc staff were already on ground.
The governor subsequently cast his ballot at exactly 8:32 a.m., marking his participation in the election as voting commenced at the polling unit.
His arrival and voting came as the governorship election got underway across the state, with voters turning out at polling units to participate in the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, which backs the governor, has called on security agencies to maintain neutrality and professionalism as voters head to the polls in today’s governorship election.
In a statement issued amid heightened political tension in the state, the campaign council appealed to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to ensure strict enforcement of President Bola Tinubu’s directive that voters and polling units be adequately protected throughout the electoral process.
The council said security personnel must act impartially and ensure that all eligible voters are allowed to exercise their franchise without intimidation or interference.
“Troublemakers must be arrested regardless of party affiliation,” the council said, stressing that security agencies should protect the integrity of the election rather than favour any political interest.
According to the campaign council, the credibility of the election depends on the ability of voters to cast their ballots freely and on the proper counting and collation of votes.
The appeal comes as political activities intensify across Osun, with stakeholders closely watching the conduct of voters, political parties and security personnel at polling centres.
The Adeleke camp maintained that there should be no intimidation, violence or obstruction of the electoral process, insisting that every lawful vote must be counted.
As Osun voters decide their next governor, attention is now focused on the conduct of security agencies and electoral officials, as well as the ability of all parties to respect the outcome of the democratic process.
The campaign council reiterated its call for a peaceful election, saying the priority should be to safeguard voters and ensure that the mandate expressed at the ballot box is respected.
