By Rotimi Ojomoyela, Ado Ekiti
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has commended the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election, describing the accreditation and voting process as smooth and seamless across his polling unit.
Fayemi cast his vote at Ward 11, Unit 9, Ogilolo, Isan-Ekiti, Isan-Ekiti Local Government Area, where he praised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as improved efficiency.
“It was a smooth experience. Everything went reasonably well. The accreditation process was fast and seamless,” he said.
He added that the process was consistent for voters in his polling unit, including his wife, and commended INEC personnel for their performance.
“I want to commend the team working for INEC on this occasion. It’s not always been the case that things would be this smooth,” he said.
Fayemi noted that although there was a reported incident in the community the previous night, the election itself remained peaceful, clarifying that the altercation was unrelated to the electoral process.
“This is ordinarily a peaceful community… we are also a peaceful community,” he added.
He also disclosed that security agencies, including senior police officials, had assured him that investigations were ongoing to ensure those responsible for the incident were brought to justice.
Meanwhile, former Senator representing Ekiti North, Senator Ayo Arise, expressed confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the election process as generally peaceful and orderly.
Arise, who voted in Oye-Ekiti, said turnout at his polling unit was lower than expected but maintained that the exercise had been smooth.
“The election was very peaceful, very smooth and quick too,” he said.
He noted that the APC’s target of 500,000 votes remained an aspiration, adding that voter participation levels would be assessed after collation of results across the state.
