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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concerns about alleged activities of thugs in the Ondo State governorship election, particularly in Idanre Local Government Area.
The alarm was raised by Mr. Festus Akingbaso, the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate and a member of the House of Representatives.
Akingbaso, who spoke to journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 005, Oke Imikan, praised the overall voter turnout and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but flagged potential threats posed by suspected thugs in certain areas.
Akingbaso said, “The turnout of voters is not bad; the security situation is also not bad. I have not seen anything wrong at this moment. I also want to commend INEC because it has not performed badly so far.
“My advice to the voters is that whenever they cast their votes, they should wait behind and keep watch until the final result has been announced. If everything goes as planned, my party will win.”
Akingbaso expressed concerns about reports of thugs allegedly infiltrating various villages in Idanre.
He said, “Information reaching me is that the majority of the villages are filled with thugs allegedly brought in by the APC. At the moment, all the villages are occupied with thugs. Villages like Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah are occupied.
“There is a place called Igbepo where suspected thugs are in their numbers in Idanre local government area. An incident happened in Ofosun where suspected thugs broke into the house of a party member to prevent him from voting. We were informed that there are plans not to allow people in the villages to vote.
“Since Friday, the APC has been alleged to have brought in suspected thugs.
“I have reported the matter to the DPO and DSS. To my expectation, the security agencies have not been able to do anything.”
The Ondo State governorship election has 18 candidates vying for the office. Among the leading contenders are the incumbent, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC, and Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, a former deputy governor. Aiyedatiwa assumed office on December 7 following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.