By correspondent in Ilorin.
Kwara State held elections into its 16 local government areas on Saturday, marking the first local government poll in seven years but with peace.
Our correspondent recalls that the last election in the state was held in November 2017.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, after casting his vote at Idigba polling unit 004 in Adewole Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area at about 10:55 am, praised the large turnout of voters and described the process as a sign of democracy taking root in the state.
“From what we can see here, the turnout is good. We wait for results to come out from various parts of the state. We can see that democracy has come to stay,” the governor remarked.
The governor also commended security agencies for maintaining a peaceful environment during the election and urged them to keep up their efforts throughout the process.
Hon. Majeed Bolakale Podo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ilorin South Local Government Area, also described the election as orderly and peaceful. “Everything is going on smoothly. There’s not been any complaint in all the wards in Ilorin South. It has been peaceful and orderly so far,” he said.
Podo further promised to follow in the footsteps of Governor Abdulrazaq, if elected, and described the governor as a “performing governor.”
Meanwhile, Kwara State Independent Electorate Commission (KWASIEC) Chairman, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, attributed polling delays in some polling units to logistical issues.
“Some of the vehicles conveying election materials to polling units broke down, but we’ve addressed the situation.
“In most areas, normalcy has returned,” Baba-Okanla explained.
However, in Offa Local Government Area, there were reports of alleged electoral malpractices.
Some voters claimed that there were insufficient election materials compared to the number of registered voters, leading to calls by community leaders to halt the process to prevent unrest.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, praised the peaceful atmosphere after casting his vote at Gambari Ward I, Ilorin East Local Government Area.
“I’ve observed a peaceful electioneering process, and I hope that at the end of the day, my party, the APC, will emerge victorious so we can continue the good work of the Abdulrazaq-led government,” he said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
