#NigeriaElections2023: ‘I’m still in the race’– SDP presidential candidate speaks as he votes in Ondo

Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), says he has not withdrawn from the election. 

Adebayo spoke after casting his vote at the polling unit 19, ward 10 barracks road, Ondo west LGA in Ondo state.

He expressed satisfaction with the functionality of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System ( BVAS).

“So far, everything is working well and I just want to urge Nigerians to come out and vote. We as a party believe in democracy, we should all think of Nigeria today,” Adebayo said. 

“Government is not powerful today but Nigerians because they are the ones that will vote for the candidate of their choice and I think everybody should come out no matter who you are voting for.”

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for deploying technology to conduct elections.

“It is a good idea to use any available technology to improve the electoral process,” the SDP candidate said.

“My advice to all my supporters and members across the states is that they have seen and heard that I’m still in the race. They should come out now and vote for all candidates of our party, SDP. I’m on the ballot today, and if I win today I will be on the ballot again, so democracy is not for one person but it is for the country.

“Election day is for the Nigerians and if the power of the vote is understood by the people, there would be a stable country. So we must vote for a good government this time around”.

On his part, Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of the state,  also expressed satisfaction with the BVAS.

Kayode Akinmade, former commissioner for information and orientation, Ondo said, “everything is going on smoothly, this is Apefon ward, and people are out in their large numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice and we believe that at the end of the exercise, the wishes of our people will come to pass.

“But we got information that some hoodlums sponsored by the APC Reps candidate went to Omifin area with some fake soldiers to harass the voters and we have reported the issues to the security.”