The by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives recorded a mixture of high and low voter turnout across polling units on Saturday, with candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) casting their votes and reacting to the exercise.
The PDP candidate, Mr. Folajinmi Oyekunle, cast his vote at Ward 4, Atenda Area, Gate, while the APC flagbearer, Mr. Adewale Olatunji, performed his civic duty at Ward 10, Unit 27, Bodija Estate, Ibadan.
Both candidates described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, and urged eligible voters to come out en masse without fear of intimidation.
Mr. Oyekunle, former member of Oyo state Assembly, expressed satisfaction with the process at his polling unit, saying: “As far as my polling unit is concerned, I have casted my vote, and everything is going on well.”
On his part, Mr. Olatunji lamented the low voter turnout, despite the smooth conduct of the election.
“If you are sending us out to represent you, then you must come out and do your part,” he told reporters after voting at 11:25 a.m. at Bodija Police Station.
A stalwart of the APC in Ibadan North, Prince Niran Adeyoju, who voted at Ward 10, Unit 12, commended the electorate for their peaceful conduct and called for sustained calm throughout the exercise.
Similarly, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Odususi Olajumoke Olabisi, faulted the poor level of voter education in Nigeria, which she argued continues to fuel voter apathy during elections.
Reports gathered from various polling units confirmed that accreditation and voting commenced early in several wards, including Ward 6 (Sabo area), Ward 10, Ward 5, and Ward 4, with materials arriving at some polling units as early as 8:35 a.m.
At Ward 4, NTA Road and Yemetu, voter turnout was impressive, while some other wards experienced low participation as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, at Ward 11, Units 17, 18, and 42, Abadina, University of Ibadan, turnout was described as substantial, with voters commending early arrival of INEC officials. However, some residents complained about last-minute changes in polling units by INEC without prior notice.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that security personnel were deployed to strategic locations across the constituency to maintain law and order, with reports indicating calm and peaceful conduct in most areas visited.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Mr. Olaide Akinremi, the former member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a total of 272,196 registered voters are expected to participate across 512 polling units, with five political parties fielding candidates in the contest.
Voting is expected to end by 2:00 p.m., with provisions for all accredited voters already on the queue to cast their ballots before official close of polls.