Despite a movement restriction order imposed ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election, residents of Okitipupa Local Government Area moved around freely on Saturday, with commercial and business activities continuing in several parts of the town.
The Ondo State Police Command had earlier announced a restriction on human and vehicular movement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. across the senatorial district to maintain security and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The by-election is taking place across six local government areas in the district, namely Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
However, observations across Okitipupa showed that many residents paid little attention to the directive. Shops remained open, commercial activities continued, and transport operators carried on with their normal business.
Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators were seen transporting passengers within and outside the town without any noticeable enforcement of the restriction.
Visits to major interstate motor parks in Okitipupa also revealed that transport services were operating as usual, with passengers boarding vehicles to various destinations.
One passenger, Mrs. Iyabo Aderanti, who was travelling to Akure, said she could not afford to miss an important business engagement because of the election.
“I have a business meeting to attend, and this election is simply filling a vacant seat. My business is important because it helps me earn a living,” she said.
Similarly, commercial driver Mr. Niyi Akindele explained that the current economic situation made it difficult for him to suspend work for the day.
“Everything is expensive now, and people need to work daily to survive. I cannot afford to lose my income because of the by-election,” he stated.
Meanwhile, electoral activities commenced smoothly in several polling units across the area.
At Polling Units 14, 16, and 17 in Ward 1, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived early with both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Security personnel, including police officers, were also present at the polling centres to maintain order as voters began gathering for accreditation and voting.
One of the INEC ad hoc staff members, Miss Jade Babalola, confirmed that election officials arrived at the polling unit around 7:00 a.m. and completed preparations ahead of voting.
“We got here early this morning. The ballot boxes, voting cubicles, and all other materials have been arranged. Everything is set, and we are ready for the exercise as voters continue to arrive,” she said.
The by-election is being conducted to fill a vacant seat in the Ondo South Senatorial District, with electoral authorities expressing confidence in the preparedness of personnel and materials deployed for the exercise.
