From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The much-anticipated local government elections in Kwara State was held peacefully across the state’s 16 local government areas on Saturday, although the late arrival of electoral materials caused delays in some polling units.
Voters across the 193 wards of the state came out in large numbers, with most polling units witnessing early turnout by 8:00 a.m. Despite the enthusiasm, the distribution of election materials was delayed in some areas, prompting concerns from both voters and party agents.
Addressing journalists at the Danialu Collation and Distribution Centre in Ilorin South, Basambo Oladimeji, the Supervising Officer for Akanbi Ward 3, attributed the delay to logistical issues. “The late arrival of election materials was due to insufficient buses to distribute the items to polling units in some areas of Ilorin,” Oladimeji explained,. Assuring that officials would make up for the lost time once the materials were delivered.
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Despite the hiccup, Oladimeji reassured voters that all those accredited would be allowed to cast their votes before the election end.
In Offa Local Government Area, the arrival of materials was also delayed, with election materials still being distributed at 10:00 a.m. Security personnel were deployed to maintain order as frustrated voters and party agents waited for the process to commence.
Abdullateef Quasim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nafisat Adeshina of the Accord Party, both expressed frustration over the delay, emphasising the need for timely commencement to ensure a smooth election.
Former Offa council chairman, Saheed Popoola, praised the determination of the people to elect capable leaders.
“The people are determined to choose the candidate that will steer Offa towards progress,” he stated.
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, stating that the governor is a “performing governor.”
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his deputy, Kayode Alabi, were among the early voters, casting their ballots at polling units in Ilorin West and Ifelodun, respectively.
The governor commended the turnout, stating, “From what we can see here, the turnout is very okay. Democracy has come to stay.”
Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), Mohammed Baba-Okanla, acknowledged the logistical challenges that delayed the election process but noted that efforts were made to address the situation. “Some of the vehicles conveying election materials broke down, but we have worked to resolve the issue, and the situation has improved,” Baba-Okanla said.
Despite the delays, the elections were generally peaceful, with no reports of significant disturbances across the state.
