People of Osun State are presently exercising their voting rights as the state governorship takes place today, Saturday, 16 July, 2022, to determine the next helmsman for the state for the next for years.
There was large turn out of eligible voters. As early as 8am, voters have assembled in their various polling units to cast their votes. In most of the polling units visited by thegazellenews.com, there were large turn out of voters.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also complemented with prompt arrival of voting materials and officials.
As at the time of this report, at 12 noon, thegazellenews.com has visited Osogbo, Ikirun, Iragbiji, Iwo, Ogbaagba, Ede and Inisa.
In more that 3,400 polling units across the state, electorate have trooped out to determine who occupies the Bola Ige House office for the next four years.
In the race for the plum job is the incumbent governor, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, the standard-bearer of of the All Progressive Party (APC), who is keen on securing a second term in office and the Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
There are thirteen other candidates contesting the same election with the candidates of APC and PDP at the forefront.
The state Governor, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola voted at Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government.
He expressed his confidence to be reelected because of his impressive performance during his first term in office.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Prince Abdullahi Adeyanju Binuyo voted around 9am at Akolegbaro Unit, Ward 10, Inisa, Odo Otin Local Government.
Speaking with our correspondent, Binuyo expressed satisfaction with the turn out and security put in place.
He also lauded INEC for putting in place strong measures which ease the voting process.
Thegazellenews.com correspondents covering the election said early observation revealed that the election has been peaceful across the 30 local governments areas of the state.
Thegazellenews.com also observed huge turnout of voters and long queues in some of the polling units visited.
For instance, in Wards 3 and 4 of Ogbaagbaa, in Olaoluwa Local Government Area of the state, voting started very early as the electoral officers and election materials arrived early.
Ward 3 is the ward where the Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Olasunkanmi Isamotu performs his civil responsibility.
The same ward has the former Secretary to the State Government and PDP stalwart, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who also came out early to vote.
The Gazellenews.com sighted Dr. Isamotu during accreditation and preparatory to voting.
The atmosphere in the ward and the entire town was peaceful as sight of long and snaky queues are still visible as The Gazelle News correspondent move round.
As at the time of reporting, election is still in progress.
