By Gbenro Adesina
The on-going by-election to fill the seat of the Osun West Senatorial District has a witnessed large turnout and is peaceful as at the time of filing this report. The seat became vacant as a result of the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke of the All Progressive Congress, APC in April.
The election being managed by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is currently being held in 10 local governments: Ayedaade, Ayedire, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Irewole, Isokan, Iwo, and Olaoluwa.
Accreditation and voting were being conducted simultaneously as the voters patiently queued and waited for their turn.
The two contenders: Senator Mudashiru Hussain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Ademola Adeleke have cast their votes. Also, the state Speaker, Hon. Salami Najeem Folasayo cast his vote at ward 4, Ejigbo.
The two contenders, the state Speaker Najeem and state Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye, Honorable Mary Garfar, Honorable Ismail Alagbada and Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi have expressed satisfaction with the whole process. Senator Olasunkanmi urged INEC to sustain election credibility.
Speaker Najeem at his ward said, “The election has been very peaceful and there is a large turnout in the area. Everywhere is calm and there are sufficient electoral materials. I am satisfied with the conduct of the election”.
Also Mr Adeoye commended the people of Osun for complying with the security directive saying that as at the time of filing this report, there has not been any ugly situation. He said, “The situation is calm here. There has not been any negative report. People are going about their business lawfully. The election has been going on smoothly. There is no crisis”.
However, there were hitches in the process in some polling stations. For example, there was an incident of card reader mal-functioning in Gbongan ward 4 and incident were filled by the electorates before they were allowed to vote.
The voting exercise was concluded around 2pm.