#OndoDecides2024: Sporadic Gunshots Rock Idanre Community As Hoodlums Enforce Voters Sit-At-Home

Amid the ongoing gubernatorial election in Ondo State, suspected thugs have reportedly fired multiple gunshots, scaring voters away from polling units in Idanre town.

The incident was said to have taken place at Ofosu village, in ldanre council area of Ondo state.

The incident, it was gathered had led to voters fleeing the scene and staying in their homes. 

The development it was gathered led to panic, forcing people to stay indoors to avoid stray bullets.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, a community leader noted that while the identity of those responsible for the scenes could not be ascertained, the shooters had been shooting all day.

"We don’t know who they are. But they were firing gunshots into the air in some parts of the village since early morning.

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“Ofosu is a village in Ondo, close to Benin in Edo State. No casualty, but people in the village are staying indoors.” it was stated.

The election which started since morning of November 16, is expected to decide who becomes next governor of the state.

There have been reports of vote buying across the state and allegation of bias leveled against the electoral umpire, INEC.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that

Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo State governorship election, voiced his disappointment with the electoral process after casting his vote at Apoi Ward 11, Unit 004 in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

Ajayi had expressed frustration with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) malfunctioning, which delayed his accreditation for about 10 minutes.

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Ajayi's concerns go beyond technical glitches, as he believes the system has been compromised. 

He had stated, "The system has been compromised. It is sad INEC can't conduct election well in one state." 

The criticism suggests that Ajayi doubts the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) ability to ensure a fair and smooth electoral process.

The PDP candidate's dissatisfaction had echoed earlier complaints from his party about BVAS malfunctions and potential bias from INEC officials, particularly the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Olatoyin Babalola. 

Ajayi had questioned the REC's impartiality, saying, "We have said it severally that we don't trust Barrister Olatoyin Babalola, that this woman can't be fair".

“I think it is deliberate on the part of INEC and the REC. And we’ve said this several times that the woman can’t be fair.

“I have had series of complaints from across the state. People are complaining of vote buying. It is a very shameful exercise.” 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that some members of All Progressives Congress (APC) were captured on camera sharing N3000 to Ondo State residents to canvass votes for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

This was revealed in a video made available to SaharaReporters by the African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State Chairman, Kayode Babayomi.

The APC Chieftains were seen apparently sharing money to voters at Ward 3 ,Unit 11 and 12 ,Ilu Tuntun,Okitipupa Local Area of the state. 

In the video, a voter was heard indicating she collected N3000 from the buyer, but when Kayode Babayomi confronted them, they denied it and flee the scene.

SaharaReporters had also reported that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members were caught engaging in vote buying at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, 

Some political party agents were caught handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to get paid after casting their votes.

Some voters said that the papers would be used to collect cash from the agents after the election, but they said that they didn't know the exact amount they would be paid.

Earlier, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, participated in the ongoing election by casting his vote early in his polling unit.

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