Some voters in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election have praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful exercise despite low turnout.
Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Taiwo Salami, commended the orderly conduct of officials at Ward 10, Unit 11, Bodija, describing the process as fair. He, however, revealed that he was unable to vote due to a malfunction with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“I was asked to come back later because the BVAS machine couldn’t verify me. But overall, the exercise is fair, security personnel and INEC officials are on ground, and the conduct has been peaceful. The only concern is the low turnout,” he said.
Another voter, Mr. Adekunle Agbota, confirmed he was able to cast his vote, but also noted that people were arriving at polling units in very small numbers. “People are coming in ones and twos, they vote and leave. The machine is working relatively well, though it may not accredit everyone in time,” he explained.
The by-election, which followed the death of Hon. Olajide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is being contested by five political parties: the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
