Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended residents for their orderly conduct during the local government elections held across the state on Saturday.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote at Ita-Osanyin Unit 2, Ward 3 in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Governor Abiodun described the peaceful atmosphere as a testament to the people’s readiness to elect their preferred candidates.
The governor, who arrived at the polling unit at 11:10 am and voted at 11:22 am, expressed confidence in the process.
“I am confident that when the elections are concluded and the people have expressed their choice through the ballot, everybody will be happy,” he stated.
Acknowledging logistical challenges in some areas, Abiodun expressed optimism that the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) would address them promptly.
“In any election, you cannot rule out some logistical hiccups, but by and large, I have been informed that that is over now and electoral materials have reached all polling booths in the state, and the process of voting has commenced in earnest,” he added.
Reports indicate an impressive voter turnout, particularly in Sagamu and Ikenne Local Governments, where residents trooped to polling units to cast their votes. Charles Odunuga, an election observer from Advocacy for Social Justice & Liberty, commended OGSIEC for a well-organized process.
However, the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State has rejected the elections, demanding their cancellation over alleged irregularities.
At an emergency press conference in Abeokuta, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Engr. Abiodun Jagunna, accused OGSIEC of systemic rigging in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He cited late arrival of electoral materials, non-display of voter registers, and failure to accredit voters as major issues.
Describing the exercise as “a charade,” Jagunna highlighted specific incidents in Ofada Wards of Obafemi-Owode and Abeokuta South Local Governments, accusing OGSIEC of violating Section 61 of the Ogun State Electoral Law.
“Sadly, the Chairman of OGSIEC, Babatunde Osibodu, has failed to use the opportunity of the local government election to distinguish himself. What took place in Ogun State today falls short of the minimum standard required for the conduct of an election,” Jagunna said.
The LP further alleged that its supporters were deliberately disenfranchised, with reports of violence and intimidation at polling units. “In the few places where the materials were delivered, our supporters were chased away from the polling units, and those who stood their grounds were beaten and brutalized,” he added.
The party vowed to challenge the election results in court if its demand for cancellation is not met.
