Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence in winning the ongoing governorship election, urging voters to protect their ballots throughout the voting and collation processes.
Adeleke spoke on Saturday after casting his vote at Ward 2, Unit 9, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area of the state.
The governor arrived at the polling unit at about 8:32 a.m. and was accompanied by a large crowd of supporters.
He was accredited by the Presiding Officer at 8:35 a.m. before casting his ballot.
Speaking after voting, Adeleke called on residents to come out in large numbers and exercise their civic rights, stressing the importance of safeguarding their votes until the conclusion of the electoral process.
He said the election presented the people of Osun with an opportunity to determine who would lead the state for the next four years.
Adeleke also appealed to voters to remain peaceful and law-abiding during voting and the subsequent collation of results.
He urged voters to remain at their polling units and monitor the process in line with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governor, however, alleged that he had received information about a police officer who was planning to disrupt the electoral process in Ede.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately remove the officer from the state.
“We also received information about our supporters being scared away in Modakeke and some areas in the state by some police officers to disenfranchise them,” he said.
Adeleke further warned his supporters to be vigilant over alleged fake ballot papers that could be introduced at some polling units to mislead voters.
Despite the concerns raised, the governor expressed optimism that the election would be peaceful, credible and representative of the wishes of the people.
