Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa votes, says exercise peaceful, PDP raises alarm over thugs invasion

As the Ondo State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and APC candidate has cast his vote at Igbo Ward 4 at Obenla community of Ilaje Local Government Area.

Aiyedatiwa voted about 8:55 a.m.at his polling Unit 05, Ward 4.

Fielding questions from newsmen after voting, the candidate adjuged the exercise as “well coordinated,” commending the electoral umpire for its efficiency, especially as observed in his ward.

“From what I have seen here today, the election is peaceful and I have cast my vote. I commended INEC and security agencies for their composure.

“So, I’m urging the people of the state to come out and exercise their franchise in today’s election without any fear or favour,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Festus Akingbaso, has raised alarm over alleged invasion of thugs in the Idanre local government area.

Akingbaso, a member of the House of Representatives, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote at Polling Unit 005, Oke Imikan, however, said he was impressed with the turnout of voters and security situation so far but expressed worry over the activities of thugs.

“The turnout of voters is not bad; the security situation is also not bad. I have not seen anything wrong at this moment. I also want to commend INEC because it has not performed badly so far.

“My advice to the voters is that whenever they cast their votes, they should wait behind and keep watch until the final result has been announced.”

On thugs invasion in Idanre, he said: “Information reaching me is that the majority of the villages are filled with thugs allegedly brought in by the APC. At the moment, all the villages are occupied with thugs. Villages like Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah are occupied.

“There is a place called Igbepo where suspected thugs are in their numbers in Idanre local government area. An incident happened in Ofosun where suspected thugs broke into the house of a party member to prevent him from voting. We were informed that there are plans not to allow people in the villages to vote.

“Since Friday, the APC has been alleged to have brought in suspected thugs.I have reported the matter to the DPO and DSS. To my expectation, the security agencies have not been able to do anything.”