Low turnout mars Osun LG election

The local government election in Osun State on Saturday, February 22, 2025, witnessed a poor turnout of the electorate in the state.

There was no presence of ad hoc staff of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) in some polling units in the state on Saturday.

In Osogbo, the Osun State capital, some of the polling units located at Ogo-Oluwa, Alekunwodo, Olaiya, and Oja-Oba, among others, were devoid of electorate, OSSIEC staff, and security operatives as of 9:15 a.m.

It was also observed that the voters’ list was not displayed at some of the polling units in the state.

However, an election took place in units 18, 19 and 20, Ward 4, Ataoja D.

Although Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the state on Saturday, this was not complied with as there was free vehicular movement without any form of restriction.

It was also observed that there were roadblocks along the major roads by the police.

Similarly, in Ile-Ife, there was no sign of the electorate as well as OSSIEC ad hoc staff in some of the polling units.

However, shops, markets, and other shopping malls were under lock and key.

In Ede, the home town of the governor, the situation was a bit different.

Electorate were seen in some of the polling units visited with OSSIEC and ad hoc staff attending to them.

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At Obalaoye Grammar School, Unit 2 Ward 4, some electorate were seen on queue at 8:00 a.m. waiting to cast their votes.

Also, Oloba Atapara Ward 1, Unit 6 witnessed a few electorate waiting to be accredited and to cast their votes.

One of the electorate, Nifemi Akingbala, said the process had been peaceful and urged all voters to cast their votes without fear.

Akingbala commended the electoral umpire for making the process peaceful.

Another electorate, Aminat Idowu Aminat, said she cast her vote at 8:20 a.m.

Aminat also commended the peaceful conduct of the election.

The presiding officer of Alajue Ward 1, Unit 8, Emmanuel Olayiwola, said the election started at 8:30 a.m.

Olayiwola added that the election was generally peaceful.

The Star