Ondo: Again, a deviation from Kogi’s bloody election

In the last few weeks there had been apprehension among Nigerians that yesterday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State may be marred by violence. Elect i ons in Niger ia have become increasingly controversial, violence-prone and a do-or-die affair, due to the desperation of politicians to win-at-all-cost.

According to reports by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, an estimated 626 persons were killed across Nigeria in the six months between the start of the election campaign and the commencement of the general and supplementary elections in 2019.

The coalition observer group disclosed this at the release of its final report on the general election, saying that the number increased compared to the 106 killed in the 2015 general election.

The violence trend was repeated in last year’s November 16 Kogi State gubernatorial election where there were widespread intimidation of voters, killings, vote- buying and snatching of ballot boxes in polling units across the state.

Recall that the PDP women leader was murdered and her home set ablaze by touts said to be loyal to the ruling party in the state.

However, this violence trend necessitated fears among political watchers and the electorate that next off-season gubernatorial election September 19 in Edo and Ondo’s October 10 could follow a similar pattern.

The gubernatorial election turned out to be largely peaceful in Edo despite the bitterness which characterised the electioneering period as major political actors tried not to breach the peace pact signed with leaders in the state days to the election.

The permutations before the Ondo election were also fueled by the tenor of electioneering campaign where name-calling, all manner of threats and allegations were bandied by the candidates and their parties.

Before the Ondo election yesterday, and following the bloody clashes that had taken place in the state involving supporters of some of the major parties, the Inspector-general of Police, Mohammed Adamu had deployed 33,783 personnel to maintain the peace.

Going by the rivalry between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, many observers had expected to see or hear of broken limbs and blood-letting yesterday.

According to the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), 17 political parties took part in yesterday’s election; but, political watchers had said that the contest was essentially a threehorse race between incumbent Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, and the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP)’S candidate, Eyitayo

Jegede.

Meanwhile, just like what was witnessed in Edo State, observers are of the view that yesterday’s Ondo gubernatorial election defied expectations as the exercise was largely peaceful across the state; though there were pockets of violence in some polling units.

Due to the bitter campaign among the major candidates in the last few weeks tension had gripped the state leading to fears in some quarters that perhaps the election could be characterised by violence and intimidation of voters.

Some had even jokingly said that dead bodies may litter the streets in some parts of the state if the security agencies were not up to their game.

However, with the relative peace witnessed yesterday during the conduct of the election, political observers say that it was worthy of commendation.

They say that politicians across Ondo State must be commended, while they should also learn to accept the outcome of election results.

While it is also a victory for INEC, and the security agencies, the commission must, however, redouble its effort, initiate reforms to the electoral process to give more credibility to the process and increase voter confidence.