The by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency began sluggishly on Saturday as low voter turnout and delayed arrival of officials disrupted early voting.
The election, held to fill the seat vacated by the late APC lawmaker Olajide Akinremi, saw INEC officials arrive promptly at some polling units, but voters were noticeably absent.
At Bodija Ward 10, Unit 26 and Ward 5, Unit 19, INEC personnel were on the ground by 7:30 a.m., setting up for the day’s activities. “We are 100 per cent ready,” an INEC official, Omolara Gbamigbade, confirmed. “We’re just waiting for voters.”
Party agents also confirmed readiness. Bolaji Abiona, a PDP representative, said, “INEC is here, the police are here. We’re only waiting for the people.”
Despite the early preparedness, only a few voters turned up. At Ward 10, Unit 27, the first ballot wasn’t cast until 9:07 a.m. Miss Oluwaseun Omisakin, the first voter, commended INEC’s handling of a minor glitch. “The BVAS operator handled it well. They were organised,” she said.
Elsewhere, delays were more pronounced. At Ward 8, Unit 031 near Gateway Baptist Church in Sango, PDP agent Ajayi Lucas criticised the late arrival of officials. “They came at 9:50 a.m. after we kept calling. That’s not how it should be,” he said.
INEC staff were also absent at Ward 8, Unit 1, Sango, as of the time of reporting.
Despite the initial hurdles, officials remained optimistic about the election proceeding smoothly, though the low turnout raised concerns about voter apathy in the constituency.
