Over 6,000 voters disenfranchised in Ondo — Community Leaders

Residents of Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have cried out over alleged plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and politicians to deprive them of their civic responsibility. 

Aside the State Assembly election, Aiyetoro is among the 56 units where National Assembly supplementary poll was to hold in the South Senatorial District of the state. 

As at 3:00pm yesterday, there was no presence of INEC officials and security personnel to conduct the election across the five polling units in the community with over 6,000 voters. 

Speaking on the development, a member of Aiyetoro Youth Council, Mr. Emmanuel Aralu said the people were eager to vote but were not given the opportunity. 

“We got to the polling units as early as 8:00am but to our utter dismay, there was no INEC official, electoral materials or security operatives anywhere in the five polling units.

“We learnt that some members of the ruling party hijacked the ballot boxes meant for the community and took them somewhere to thumb-print for their candidates.”

The Media and Publicity Secretary of Tofowomo Campaign Organisation, Olumide Akinrinlola alleged there was indiscriminate snatching of ballot boxes in the six local governments of the district. 

“The ruling APC and its leaders were openly distributing N3, 000 to buy votes most especially to secure votes for all their candidates in the House of Assembly election. Thugs have also hijacked the ballot box of Unit 012 of Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area.

“Vote buying is obvious and not hidden in all the units of Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State,” he alleged.