The Governor of Ondo State and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has cast his vote at his Polling Unit 05 in Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
Aiyedatiwa, who was escorted by his security aides, arrived at his polling unit around 8:46 am and voted at exactly 8:50 am amidst cheers from his kinsmen.
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, Aiyedatiwa commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for arriving early at the various polling units with voting materials.
The governor stated that the exercise was well coordinated, commending the electoral umpire for its efficiency, especially as observed in his ward.
From what I have seen here today, the election is peaceful, and I have cast my vote. I commended INEC and security agencies for their composure. So, I’m urging the people of the state to come out and exercise their franchise in today’s election without any fear or favour,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa, however, expressed optimism that he would win the governorship election, saying that it would be a big celebration for his party at the end of the election.
The governor added that he was in a vantage position for victory in the election based on his performance in office in the last 10 months and the people’s love for him.
He said, “I believe with what we have done in the last 10 months, the voters know who they want, and I believe I am at a vantage position in this election because of the works that I have done in the last 10 months since I assumed office as governor of the state.
“We traversed the entire 18 local governments, and we visited communities. I want to say that I was the only candidate who covered the entire 18 local governments and visited major communities during the campaign period.
“I saw with my eyes, I felt the people, I listened to them, and I responded to their requests and their questions. They were always excited at my appearance, so because of the huge turnout during the campaigns, I believe they will translate that love into votes today. I have confidence that in the outcome of the election, I have an advantage based on performance, and I want to believe that victory will come my way.”
Speaking on the poll, the governor hailed the early arrival of poll materials and officials and the timely commencement of the election in his unit, as well as the peaceful atmosphere.
He said, “Here in my unit and community, it has been calm and peaceful, and the turnout is very encouraging. I want to believe that the same situation will be at the other locations across the state. It is peaceful here; I think it should be peaceful in other locations.
“I want to commend the security agencies, the police, the NSCDC and as well the military who are in the background. They are heavily deployed to be able to attend to any security threat. I believe the people will comport themselves. We are peaceful people in Ondo State. Ondo State has been adjudged to be one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.
“We have been having elections in a peaceful environment, and this very one will not be different. The citizens are law-abiding. Having been in the saddle for 10 months, this state has been very peaceful, and they know who and what they want.
“I believe the election will be very, very peaceful and credible. I went through the whole process of accreditation before casting my vote, and I believe the INEC officials will do the same at every location. So, I want to believe that it will be transparent, credible, and conclusive at the end of the day.
“But the information at my disposal now revealed that other locations also have materials, but I can’t speak of across the whole state yet. As we progress, we will begin to get more information.
“My message to the eligible voters is that they should go out en masse to vote and decide who will govern them for the next four years, and they should go out without any fear, the environment should be peaceful and calm, they should all come out and vote.”
(PUNCH)