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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner (1402 Views)
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The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by garrigangster: 8:49am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Promises by the security agencies to keep the peace during yesterday’s governorship election in Ondo State failed to materialise in many parts of the state just when it mattered most. Violence erupted in Idanre, Igbotako, Ilu-Titun, Okitipupa, Ido-Ani and Ifon to mar an election the authorities had touted as a model for future polls in the country. It was so bad at Okeluse that the result for the area had to be cancelled. Thugs believed to be working for the Labour Party (LP) went wild in those towns and the riverine areas hijacking ballot boxes and harassing supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and People Democratic Party (PDP). Two key actors –Mr.Niran Sule, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Mr. Tunde Ojomo, chairman of the Owo Local Government-were arrested by security agents for being in possession of six AK 47 rifles. They were taken to Akure for interrogation. Anxiety filled the air last night in Ondo State as residents and stakeholders awaited the result of the election. Tension was particularly high at the Alagbaka, Akure secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the campaign offices of the three leading candidates in the poll-Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the ACN, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of LP and Mr. Olusola Oke of PDP, as results began streaming in from the wards and local government areas. Yet to be confirmed reports showed that the ACN led in the North Senatorial District followed by LP and PDP, while LP led in the Central District with ACN second and PDP in the third position. PDP however, led in the South Senatorial District with ACN coming second and LP a distant third. All together ACN has reportedly won eight out of the 18 local government areas in the state–four in the north, two in central and two in the south. PDP on the other hand won five and LP five too. Although, the Central District has the largest number of votes, whatever edge the LP had there may not stand in view of its poor showing in the North and South. This holds out the possibility of the election being resolved through run-off polls. Turn out for the election was generally high across the state although electoral materials got to many polling units late. Despite assurances by the security agencies, thugs were unleashed by desperate politicians in many places to intimidate or scare away voters. Fifteen youths had earlier been arrested on Thursday at the Akure house of a chieftain of Afenifere for allegedly stuffing ballot boxes with thumb-printed ballot papers in favour of the Labour party. Six chieftains of the party in Ese-Odo Local Government area went under-ground on Friday after reports of their own thumb-printing leaked. As voting got underway yesterday, suspected thugs of Labour Party were said to have exploited the inadequate security to scare away ACN voters. In fact, Sunmonu Famoritiye, a chieftain of the ACN was said to have been arrested on the orders of Mimiko. As of the time of filing this report his whereabouts was unknown. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the armed thugs attacked his party’s agents and intimidated its supporters, especially in the rural areas. He said: ‘’If those saddled with the responsibility of providing adequate security are unable to do so, and many voters are disenfranchised because of that, then the election in the area cannot be adjudged free and fair. If thugs acting in support of the Labour Party are given a free rein and agents and voters of the ACN are scared away from the polling units, the election in the area cannot be adjudged to be credible, on the grounds of technical exclusion.” He also said ACN agents in several polling units were barred from the polling units because “INEC allegedly made a mistake by not inserting ‘ACN’ in the agents’ tags it issued to them.” Alhaji Mohammed also alleged inadequate security especially in Idanre and Okitipupa where thugs on motorcycles had a field day “harassing voters and agents of the opposition. There are also reports of stuffed ballot boxes being moved to polling booths with the protection of Labour Party thugs”. Security was relatively tight and the election was generally peaceful. Accreditation and voting began as scheduled in some parts of the state. As early as 6am, armed soldiers, anti-riot policemen and other security operatives had commenced patrolling major roads. Vehicle movement across the state was not allowed Intra city movement was also restricted as only vehicles on election duty, including those conveying journalists, were allowed to operate. Even then such vehicles and the occupants were searched . In some polling units, security agents were seen scanning voters before being let in. Police officers and DSS agents were seen on guard in polling units. In Unit 10, Ward V, Afulu in Oka Akoko where Senator Ajayi Boroffice registered, two regular policewomen were on ground. Speaking to journalists, Borroffice, who was one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), complained about inadequate security personnel in his unit. He expressed fears that some people had threatened to disrupt voting there. However, he said soldiers who mounted guard about 500 meters away gave assurance that they would respond when called upon. Voters trooped out eagerly in Akure North local government area. Accreditation and voting went well at Itaogbolu, Iju, Oba Ile, Igbatoro, Eleyowo-Bolorunduro and Ayede-Ogbese. However, a traditional ruler in the area reportedly threatened the people to vote for Labour Party or be dealt with. The election was also peaceful in Ondo North Senatorial District. Many voters got to the polling stations as early as 6.30am. Accreditation began in some units promptly by 8am. In others, it began at about 9am. In Unit 8, Ward 6, Ayegunle, Oka-Akoko, Akungba, voters were being accredited by 8am. At Unit O4, in Ward II, the Presiding Officer was calling out names of registered voters as at 9am for accreditation. Old women, elderly men and youths gathered at the unit on Victory College, by Jubilee Market, Ugbe-Abuja Road. Accreditation was peaceful in the unit, but a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) Oladele Adebisi, who was monitoring activities in Akoko North East, said some of the Presiding Officers did not turn up. He said he was trying to send more officers to units where there is a higher number of voters. “The people are complying, and we’re working hard to meet up with time and finish with accreditation on schedule. “The only challenge we have is a shortage of hands in some units. So right now I am looking for more hands for units where there are more people. “There is supposed to be an Assistant Poling Officer (APO), APO I and APO II in each unit. But the people we would have used are not available,” he said. At Unit 05, Ward 1, CAC Primary School, the Ofua of Ikareland, High Chief Alfred Omotola, described the turnout of voters as impressive. He said: “We are peace-loving people. We are orderly here. There is no problem at all.” |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by ubandire(m): 9:43am On Oct 21, 2012 |
LIES!LIES!LIES!These people are never tired lying shamelessly.In their dreams Aketi is leading,I would want to see the Nation's publication of the result when it's officially announced. |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by jhydebaba(m): 9:49am On Oct 21, 2012 |
Who get the nation No be ACN Wetin u expect |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by fame1(f): 10:01am On Oct 21, 2012 |
@ops lies all lies Why is it that whenever acn looses they will call it fraud |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by seunlayi(m): 12:48pm On Oct 21, 2012 |
That is ACN way of tackling issues. When they won, they will say it is free and fair but when they are defeated, they will cry foul. Yeye party with yeye people |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by luvinhubby(m): 2:31pm On Oct 21, 2012 |
ACN is worse than PDP. 1 Like |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by BlackBaron: 2:51pm On Oct 21, 2012 |
Tinunbu needs to be put in his place. All this gra gra is his quest to become Godfather of the whole SW. At this rate, they would single handedly soil their good works in 1 fell swoop. His obsession to have every SW governor tied to his apron strings smacks of desperation and an underlying agenda. He's beginning to look like a PEST! |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by icez: 2:59pm On Oct 21, 2012 |
Re: The Nation Newspaper's Account Of The Ondo Elections: Report Akeredolu As Winner by Nobody: 4:54pm On Oct 21, 2012 |
hahahahahahaha! You can see the confirmation of the fact all the parties are mere associations of convenience. CPC, PDP, ACN, APGA, LP, ANPP, etc are all the same! No ideologies, only fraternities selfish men with deadly ambitions. See ACN playing the "victim". Funny enough, they even included the PDP as a partner in "victimised" by LP. As for the Nation, Tinubu = ACN Tinubu = The Nation. Therefore, The Nation = ACN. |
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