Ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distributed sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas of Ondo State on Thursday.
At the distribution centre located at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Akure, INEC Electoral Officers from all 18 local government areas were present to receive the materials, accompanied by representatives from various political parties.
In a statement to journalists, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasized that this distribution was essential to ensure that materials reach residents in difficult-to-access areas promptly.
The ruling party’s candidate Lucky Aiyedatiwa will be contesting alongside Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abbas Mimiko of the ZLP, Ebiseni Nehemiah of Labour Party, Falaiye Ajibola of the Accord Party, Omolere Akinuli of Action Alliance, Ajayi Adekunle of African Action Congress, Akinnodi Ayodeji of African Democratic Party, Popoola Olatunji, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Ogunfeyimi Isaac of Allied Peoples Movement, Fadoju Amos Babatunde of Action Peoples Party, Olugbenga Omogbemi of New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ajaunoko Jenyo of National Rescue Movement, Alli Babatunde Francis of Peoples Redemption Party, Akingboye Benson Bamidele of Social Democratic Party, Adegoke Kehinde Paul of Youth Party, and Akinmurele Otiloloju of Young Progressives Party.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned police personnel from escorting VIPs to their polling booths and collation centres. He also named Sylvester Alabi, deputy inspector-general, as the coordinating DIG for the election to oversee the implementation of security strategies.
“Furthermore, security aides and escorts attached to VIPs are banned from accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres to prevent disruptions,” the statement reads.
