Heavy security personnel have been drafted to the venues of today’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, SaharaReporters correspondents monitoring the exercise have reported.
These uniformed personnel in a combined effort of the Military, DSS, Police, NSCDC and Vigilante groups are mostly roving the major streets of Akure, the state capital, with noisy sirens.
The personnel are also stationed at strategic locations monitoring for a possible security breach.
One of our correspondents said there is tension and palpable fear among the residents of the town as security vans parade at strategic points close to the venues of the primary election.
Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo state, while monitoring the exercise told SaharaReporters that the presence of security personnel in the town was to help prevent any breakdown of law and order before, during, and after the primary election.
She also warned the security personnel not to compromise proceedings by collaborating with disgruntled politicians during today's primary election.
In today’s election no fewer that twenty-three aspirants are jostling for the governorship ticket of the party. Candidates include:
Ajayi Borrofice; Olusola Oke; Rotimi Akeredolu; Olusegun Abraham; Tayo Alasoadura; Jumoke Anifowose; Boye Oyewumi; Bode Ayorinde; Victor Olabimtan; Jamiu Ekungba;
Others are- Ademola Adegoroye, Paul Akintelure, Akinwale Akingbade; Apata Awodeyi; Akinrinsola Odunayo;; Tunji Abayomi; Bukola Adetula; Niyi Adegbonmire; Foluso Adeyemi; Ayo Akinyelure; Akinola Olayinka; Tunji Light Ariyomi; Moyosola Niran Oladunni.
SaharaReporters authoritatively gathered that since last week many of these aspirants have been ‘bribing, caging and feeding’ delegates in various hotels and camps located at the Alagbaka and Ijapo areas of Ondo state for today’s election.
The aim, our correspondents reported, was to attract the support of these delegates that could be ‘convinced’ to vote for such aspirant in the primary election.
SaharaReporters crew reported that the party has designated three venues for today’s primary election in order to ensure a hitch-free process for the delegates who would casting their votes in the exercise.
1. ESS-BEE Event Arena, Workman Plaza, Ondo road Akure has been designated for delegates from the Ondo State South Senatorial District.
2. OSDPG Multipurpose Hall, First Gate Ijapo Estate, Akure has been fixed for delegates from the North Senatorial District.
3. Arcade Open Ground by House of Assembly in Akure has been obtained for delegates from the Central Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, the accreditation of delegates is now in process in all the three venues designated for the exercise while the international event centre as been fixed for the "main voting" for today's poll.
Thirteen delegates each from the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state will be participating in today's exercise.
The delegates are to tender their party's identity cards before voting in the election.
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