Osun voters are electing a governor who will occupy the Bola Ige Government House and manage the affairs of the state for the next four years.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Many voters in Osun State, election officials, and sensitive materials have arrived at several polling units across the state ahead of the commencement of voting in Saturday’s governorship election.
As of 7:13 am, voters were seen waiting at Gulf Junction, Ogo Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2, Osogbo, the state capital.
In Ikire and other parts of the state, voters were also seen arriving at polling units early, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on the ground preparing for the exercise.
At some polling units, voters were already checking their names on the voters’ roll before accreditation and voting began.
The gubernatorial election, which is expected to take place across the state’s 30 local government areas, is widely seen as a keen contest between the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, although 11 other candidates are also vying for the position.
A total of 15 political parties were expected to participate in the off-cycle election, with Governor Adeleke seeking re-election.
However, two candidates—Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM)—have announced their withdrawal from the contest.
While Adeyemi-Doro declared support for the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, Adewale endorsed Governor Adeleke.
Meanwhile, despite their withdrawals, APGA and APM remain on the ballot for the election.
