The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, have cast their ballots in the ongoing Osun governorship election.

Oyetola voted at Ward 1, Unit 10, in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, while Oyebamiji and his wife were accredited and voted at Ward 9, Polling Unit 011, Gantry Area, Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area.

The exercise is taking place across the 30 local government areas of Osun State, with voters electing the governor who will lead the state for the next four years.

Oyebamiji commends voter turnout

Speaking shortly after casting his ballot in Ikire, Oyebamiji commended the large turnout of voters in the town.

He said the turnout showed that residents were not intimidated by concerns surrounding the election.

“INEC officials are here, the voters are here, security operatives are here. I want to commend the large turnout of voters in Ikire. It shows that people are not intimidated, and generally, things are going on fine across the state,” he said.

The APC candidate also urged security agencies to remain proactive in protecting voters and ensuring that the election was conducted peacefully.

“I want to admonish the police and other security operatives to be proactive to ensure security for our people and all the voters, and I believe the election would be credible,” he said.

APC candidate confident of victory

Commenting on the reported arrest of a politician during the election, Oyebamiji said he expected the police to carry out their responsibilities professionally.

“I want to be sure that the police would do their job. I am confident that I’d win this election at the end of the day,” he said.

Oyebamiji’s comments came amid heightened security and political activities across the state as voters continued to participate in the election.

Parties trade vote-buying allegations

Meanwhile, agents of the Accord Party and APC were seen allegedly engaging in vote-buying activities at AUD Primary School in Atile, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.

The party agents were stationed around the polling booths, ostensibly to monitor voters and their ballot papers and ensure they voted for their respective candidates.

It was observed that shortly after some voters cast their ballots, party agents allegedly directed them to designated locations where they could collect money.

An Accord Party agent, Ajayi Ayodele, accused APC agents of clustering around the polling booths to monitor voters’ ballot papers.

However, the report also alleged that Accord Party agents were involved in similar activities, with one of the agents seen directing voters to a location where they could collect funds after voting.

The allegations could not immediately be independently verified.

The development comes as election officials, security agencies and political party agents monitor the voting process across Osun State amid concerns over electoral malpractice and vote buying.