Kwara: High turnout, decorum, tight security despite pre-election violence

The violent build up to the general elections in Kwara State was doused, yesterday, by massive turnout of voters, who voted peacefully and with high level of decorum though under watertight security. Reports across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state showed that voters having an overt sense of security of lives and property, trooped out as early as 7:00am in readiness for the exercise.

There were late arrival of materials and staff, including at Ode Opobiyi 005 polling unit, where the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his family voted and Ubadawanki area, where former Minister for Youths and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi voted. At Offa, Omuaran and Share areas, the situation was better, as accreditation started at 8:00am. The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed was among the early voters at his Share traditional home.

Saraki, dressed in white flowing traditional gown, arrived his polling booth at 10:03am, was accredited and voted immediately. His mother, Florence; wife Oluwatoyin, and his son, Seeni, accompanied him.He was happy about the large turn out, but criticised late arrival of materials to some areas.

The Guardian investigation showed concerns in some parts of Ilorin that there were deliberate diversions of ballot papers and delayed distributions of materials. A source said: “Materials meant for Alanamu were found at Ajikobi and in one of the units, 70 ballot papers were delivered instead of 140.”Kwara State Assembly Speaker, Ali Ahmad, who voted at Gbabiabidun Ward Unit 002 at 8:30am, prayed that the process ends well.