Massive jubilation erupted in Ede, Osun State, on Saturday after Governor Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Accord Party, recorded a landslide victory at his polling unit in the ongoing governorship election.
Adeleke polled 421 votes at Ward 02, Polling Unit 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North Local Government Area, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured just 29 votes.
The result triggered celebrations among Adeleke’s supporters, and residents gathered around the polling unit, with the crowd chanting the governor’s campaign slogan, ‘Imole.’
Adeleke had earlier arrived at the polling unit and was accredited by the Presiding Officer at about 8:35 a.m. before casting his ballot.
Speaking shortly after voting, the governor expressed confidence in his chances of securing victory in the election and urged residents across the state to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
He also called on voters to protect their votes throughout the electoral process and remain vigilant during voting, sorting, counting and collation.
According to Adeleke, the election provides the people of Osun with an opportunity to freely determine who will govern the state for the next four years.
He appealed to voters and political supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while urging them to stay at their polling units to monitor the process in line with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governor expressed optimism that the election would be peaceful, credible and reflective of the wishes of the electorate.
However, following the announcement of his overwhelming victory at the polling unit, supporters erupted in celebration, chanting ‘Imole’ and taunting the APC.
Some supporters also mocked the opposition party over an unverified allegation that it allegedly offered ?50,000 to voters in Ede to influence their votes.
The claim could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
Adeleke’s wide margin at his polling unit is expected to heighten the excitement among his supporters as counting and collation continue across Osun State.