Major towns in Osun State are relatively peaceful and calm, about 13 hours to the August 15 governorship election in the state, checks by The Guardian have revealed.

Our correspondent who visited Osogbo, the state capital, Ilesa and Ile-Ife on Friday, reported that the cities are in high spirit for the poll.

Recall that the state had recorded pockets of politically motivated killings and attacks ahead of the Saturday poll.

Fifteen political parties and their candidates are contesting the gubernatorial poll, of which events leading to it had been greeted with claims and counter allegations of sponsored attacks and fatalities.

To this end, security agencies have deployed over 25,000 personnel to restore peace and order before, during and after the election.

Monitoring activities across the state on Friday, our correspondent discovered that residents were going about their usual daily activities without hindrance.

The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, had declared today a Work-Free-Day, in order for civil servants and other residents to travel to their places of registration to cast their votes on Saturday.

A check at some motor parks in Osogbo revealed beehive of activities as commutters struggle to travel before the night catches up with them.

Also, there is presence of security agents at strategic locations in the towns visited.

Meanwhile, some residents who spoke with our correspondent declared readiness to exercise their franchise, urging security agencies to maintain watertight protection of voters.

Olumide Gbenro, a resident of Osogbo, said he had entertained fears before today, however, noted that assurances by the state governor and security chiefs have assisted in allaying his fears.

“I won’t lie to you. I have been apprehensive since last week because of reports of killings and attacks by suspected political thugs. But, the assurances of the governor and the police have been able to give me the confidence to come out tomorrow and vote.

“With this development, I want to urge our security agents not to loose guard. They should be neutral and ensure the voting exercise is not disrupted by hoodlums,” he said.

Other eligible voters who spoke expressed confidence of voting provided that the peace is sustained.