Osun west by-election: Voters troop out despite downpour

The early morning rain in parts of Osun west senatorial district did not discourage voters from heading to their polling units to elect the successor of Isiaka Adeleke who died on April 23.

Although there are 12 candidates in the election, the race is between Ademola, the younger brother of the deceased who is candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and  Mudashiru Hussein of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Ode Omu, a town in Ayedaade local government area, voting materials got to the polling units early, while security agents manned strategic spots in the town where Mathew Ashimolowo, popualr Nigerian pastor, hails from.

People came out in their numbers at Ede, the hometown of the PDP candidate.

Adeleke arrived at ward 2, unit 9, Saagba Abogunde compound, Ede north, his polling unit, around 8am and addressed reporters after casting his ballot.

He expressed satisfaction with the exercise, boasting that he would beat his opponent “hands down”. large turnout of voters, I will beat APC hands down- Ademola Adeleke

“I am 100 percent confident of victory,” he said.

“As you can see, it rained this morning before the voting exercise commenced. This is a signal to the fact that I will carry the day. With this large turnout also, it’s unarguable that I will beat Hussein hands down.”

At Alajue 1, ward 4, unit 10, cottage junction area in Ede north local government area, one of the ten local government areas in the senatorial district, the exercise went on peacefully.

Precious Agbor, INEC presiding officer at unit 16, ward five, said the card reader machines were working well.

Agbor said the electoral process was going on smoothly, adding that no incident of violence had been recorded.

The agent of the APC, Isa Jimoh, and his PDP counterpart, Muhamed Abdulmaleek, confirmed that the process had been smooth.

Security was also beefed up on major roads in the affected local government areas where the election was taking place.

So far, there have been no reports of violence.