By Israel Afolabi
Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly Dr. Najeem Salaam has said the peaceful atmosphere that greeted the Gubernatorial election in the state was an indication that Nigeria democracy has come of age.
Dr. Salaam stated this while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER shortly after casting his vote at voting point B of Unit 6, Ward 4 of Ilupeju area, Ejigbo.
He commended the electorates for what he described as the will to exercise their franchise as demonstrated by turnout in their large number just as he lauded security agencies for maintaining law and order and being civil with the voters.
According to him, “the election is organised, orderly and the electorates turn out is very impressive because people presented themselves peacefully”.
He described election as a game of majority where those with the highest figure have the day.
However, the Secretary to the State Government, Senator Mudasiru Hussain who also cast his vote at Beulah Baptist School, Ejigbo confirmed that electorates came out enmasse and behaved diligently during the exercise.
He commended security operatives for their roles and added that people adhered to the rules and regulations of INEC, as the Card Reader also function well.
Meanwhile, the situation is the same at the polling Unit where the Special Adviser to Governor on Wealth Creation Mr. Adetoyese Ademola cast his vote at Elejigbo 1 Unit 2 and he described the process as transparent.
He said,” people conducted themselves well while the process was effective because the physically challenged people were given privilege to cast their votes”.
In the same vein, former Speaker of Osun Assembly, Hon. Adejare Bello who cast his vote at ward 4 unit 2 Olokun Agba Ede observed that there is improvement concerning election in Nigeria, INEC performed very well while the security personnel did their best.
An accredited election observer, Mr. Kelvin Huge also observed that the exercise was conducted in free and fair atmosphere while things went on well in the State.
“The security situation was also perfect as combined personnel of Police, Civil Defence, DSS and Army were seen around the polling units with their presence instilling sense of security in the people”.
