Ondo South By-Election: Commercial motorists, residents defy movement restriction order
Some residents of Okitipupa in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State moved freely on Saturday despite a restriction order announced ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial by-election.
The police command in the state had announced restriction on human and vehicular movement from 6.00a.m to 6.00p.m across the senatorial district on Saturday to ensure security during the election.
The by-election is holding across the six local government areas of Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo
It was gathered that in Okitipupa metropolis many residents were moving freely and commercial activities ongoing as shops were opened for business.
Many commercial motorists and okada riders were busy picking passengers from one area to another without any restriction.
Across major inter-state motor parks operating in Okitipupa, it was observed that transporters did not comply with the restriction order.
A passenger travelling to Akure, Iyabo Aderanti, described the by-election as “just a filler for vacant position.”
“I have a business meeting to catch up with and this election is not a serious one, I just have to go for my business and which will fetch me better money,” she said.
A commercial driver, Niyi Akindele, also said “everything is skyrocketing now, and one needs to work hard to make ends meet, so I can’t lose today’s money because of the by-election.”
A visit to polling units14,16, 17, Ward 1, in Okitipupa showed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adhoc staff arrived early with sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
Police officers were also seen manning polling units visited as voters queue for accreditation.
One of the INEC adhoc staff, Jade Babalola, said that she and her colleagues arrived at their polling unit at about 7:00a.m and were ready to perform the assigned duties.
“We have been here since 7:00a.m and as you can see, we have arranged the ballot box, cubicle and all the materials are here, we are only waiting for the voters to be here,” she said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
UNESCO demands global action to save world heritage
He said threats to world heritage include increasingly extreme weather events, natural disasters, deliberate attacks and growing human pressures.
NationWide
NADF inaugurates nationwide training of 1,884 extension agents
Mr Ibrahim said extension workers are central to improving agricultural productivity.
Heading 2
Tearful Lionel Scaloni pledges to honour Argentina contract after World Cup heartbreak
Scaloni has been the manager of the Argentina football team since 2018, and his current contract is set to expire in December.
States
Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger intensify preparedness amid flood warnings
The measures include the construction of drainage infrastructure, activation of emergency operations centres, and public sensitisation campaigns.
Economy
NERC issues guidelines for technical audit of transmission network
According to NERC, the guidelines establish a uniform and standardised process for periodic technical audits of Nigeria’s electricity transmission system.
Abuja
FCT police detain four officers over alleged extortion of N53,000 from ICPC chairman
The FCT police command has detained four officers for allegedly extorting the chairman of ICPC.
