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Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his main challenger in the ongoing governorship election in the state, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reacted to the ongoing exercise.
Akeredolu, who dressed in a white agbada arrived at Polling Unit 6, Ward 5, Isoku in Ijebu-Owo, Owo town around 9:37am,after the rain which started around 07:50am had stopped.
He was not allowed to join the queue as he was ushered to where he was accredited together with his wife, Betty, after which they cast their ballots. The first family didn’t spend more than seven minutes at the unit.
Addressing journalists after casting his vote, Akeredolu, who is seeking reelection on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), said God would give him victory.
He said although the early morning rain disrupted the exercise, people have started coming out.
“I am confident about winning this election. I have always said that mine is about God. I know that God in his infinite mercy will give me victory. My confidence is in God,” Akeredolu said.
Also speaking, the PDP candidate, Jegede, expressed confidence of winning the election.
Jegede, who eventually voted at 11:08 am, 10 minutes after the card reader failed to read his fingerprint and that of his wife, Eno.
Clad in white native attire with a blue cap to match, he dropped his ballot paper in the box with excitement using two fingers to express victory.
In an interview with reporters, Jegede said he would win the election in spite of reports of pockets of violence in some areas in Akure and Owo. He said he was yet to receive reports from remote communities in the state as at press time.
He commended voters for their large turnout and for conducting themselves peacefully so far in the exercise.
On reports of violence, Jegede alleged that one of his supporters, Sodiq Obanoyen, was attacked at his polling unit in Owo by thugs and some men clad in black dress, who he alleged were led by an unnamed commissioner.
Despite the incidents of violence, Jegede said he would win.
“Despite all of those incidents, we will win by the grace of God,” he said.
The PDP candidate, who lost to the incumbent in 2016, said God asked him to challenge Akeredolu again.