APC in early lead in Ondo election guber

Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)…his party in early lead waiting for consolidation to victory

*Elegbeleye commends massive turn out of Ikare people

*Jimoh Ibrahim write Akeredolu, congratulates him ahead

As at the close of proceeding yesterday evening, there are obvious facts to show that the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be

losing the mantle to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) who have swung into an early lead.

From the results so far released the PDP dominated in the Ondo west picking good results from polling units monitored. However, the APC were making up the figures in unassailble margin where they hold their own sway. Alliance for Democracy (AD) held seniority in the Okitipupa area.

However, there were prominent voter response. The election was feared was going to be bloody but it turned out relatively peaceful. Though, there were minor incidents in some places.

Eyitayo Jegede complained about card reader machines which were not functioning well in the Ondo South which has the biggest volume of voters. Akeredolu complained in an interview with journalists of how the police were working with the PDP to rig the election.

Rotimi Akeredolu...casting his vote in Owo
Rotimi Akeredolu…casting his vote in Owo

APC standard bearer Mr. Akeredolu won the election in his ward with a majestic high margin. APC got 413, while the PDP got 13and the AD got 4.

Candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Chief Olusola Oke led in some units in Ward 1, Igbodigo in Okitipupa Local Government Area. His supporters were seen jubilating already.

However, earlier in the morning, the card reader machine rejected the finger print of the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. Mimko eventually voted and he delivered his polling unit, Ward 07, Unit 20 Ondo west LGA where the AD got 15 votes, the APC got 40 and PDP 176.

Eyitayo Jegede won in his polling unit. He polled 184, while the All Progressives Congress candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu and the Alliance for Democracy candidate, Olusola Oke polled 77 and 32 respectively.

Meanwhile, former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, who recently switched from the PDp to the APC.

Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye...delivered in his area
Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye…delivered in his area

Elegbeleye was able to deliver his ward and Ikare constituency to his new party. When called on phone, he said, “we have a situation room where we are watching and monitoring, from reports therein, we are doing well. Ballot snatching was minimal but from the processes, it is safe to say we have done well.”

Meanwhile, Rotimi Akeredolu has been congratulated by Mr Jimoh Ibrahim who described him as one who possess the right mentality, competence, readiness and moral amplitude to lead Ondo State. He made the comment on his Twitter handle.

Voters on Saturday in Ondo State commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for a hitch-free governorship election.

In separate interviews conducted by various persons in Okitipupa, they said that the card readers functioned seamlessly in the area making the accreditation and voting process to be fast.

They also lauded the security agencies for their prompt action to stop criminality at polling centres.

Mr Wale Adekoya, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the area, told www.gongnews.net that there was no challenge with the card readers.

The major gladiators out of 28 parties that contested the election
The major gladiators out of 28 parties that contested the election

“I have to commend INEC for their early distribution of materials, the punctuality of their staff as well as effective functioning of the card reader machines,” he said.

An Alliance for Democracy agent, Mr Rotimi Olasenoja, also commended security agents for their prompt action to make the election credible. We have enough security agents on ground and they are doing their job,” he said

Mrs Adewunmi Oloko, an APC supporter, also said the election was fair and credible. Mr Dare John, INEC’s Presiding Officer for Okitipupa Ward 2, Unit 017, said that the voters were cooperative and orderly in their conduct, promoting a smooth electoral process.

“The electorate cooperated with us and were orderly too and we have no issue with the card reader machine,” John said. A Superintendent of Police and Head of the police patrol team, Earnest Ejong, also said that no suspect was arrested so far in connection with election crime.

As at when we iclear sorting and collation of results were ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

A large turnout of voters was recorded in Ikare, Akoko, the hometown of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Engineer Segun Abraham.

APC deputy governor candidate, Hon Alfred Agboola Ajayi...after he voted speaking to journalists in Okitipupa
APC deputy governor candidate, Hon Alfred Agboola Ajayi…after he voted speaking to journalists in Okitipupa

In Unit 04, Ward 1 in Isonopo, people turned out in their numbers to vote. The process was peaceful. It was learnt that Engineer Abraham was not in town to cast his vote. When his Ikare home was visited, an aide said the APC chief was not in town.

“He is not in town and I don’t know if he is coming. He didn’t tell me if he was coming or not,” he said.

Abraham contested the APC primary but lost to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who emerged in controversial circumstances. When contacted Abraham on phone to get his observations, he did not pick his calls.

Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Jimoh Ibrahim, has allegedly written to congratulate Romiti Akeredolu‎, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the ongoing election in the state.

According to the letter obtained by www.gongnews.net in Akure on Saturday, Jimoh, whose ambition to govern the state was truncated by the Supreme Court,‎ claimed that from every indication, Aketi, Akeredolu would eventually win.

Ibrahim earlier threw his weight behind Akeredolu of the APC.

However, Ibrahim warned him to avoid the outgoing governor, Olusegun Mimiko if the baton of leadership is eventually handed over to him.

Meanwhile, checks by our reporter Friday evening show that the Independent National Electoral Commission was yet to make any official announcement.

The Jimoh Ibrahim’s letter reads:

My dear egbon,

Congratulations I have computed the results sent to me from 2907 wards by my party agents across Ondo State. It shows you are leading with unrecoverable margin.

I congratulate you as Governor-elect of our lovely state. I will advise you quickly maintain distance from Mimiko if you want to succeed.

I have no doubt that you will urgently create hope for our people, kindly do whatever you can to assist our lovely civil servants

I saw poverty in those villages I visited during campaign please kindly assist traditional rulers as much as you can.

Ondo state account requires clear audit and this is urgent for immediate recovery of our money to assist in major programme infrastructural development

Once again congratulations

Jimoh Ibrahim.

OFR CFR

PDP Candidate 2016

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