The Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election commenced on Saturday with a poor voter turnout, despite early arrival of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The election was organised to fill the vacant seat left by Olajide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who died on July 10 after a brief illness.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), INEC officials were on the ground as early as 7:30 a.m. at several polling centres across the constituency. However, only a handful of voters were present at the time.
At Bodija Ward 10, Unit 26, and Ward 5, Unit 19, officials were seen setting up at 8:22 a.m. and 8:27 a.m. respectively, but the polling stations remained sparsely populated.
“We are 100 per cent ready at Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ward 5, Unit 26. As you can see, we are setting up and waiting for voters. Their list will be pasted soon,” INEC official Omolara Gbamigbade said.
A polling agent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bolaji Abiona, confirmed that security and logistics were intact but lamented the absence of voters. “Everything is set. INEC is here, the police are here. We are waiting for people so accreditation and voting can commence,” he said.
The Ibadan North constituency, with over 272,000 registered voters and 512 polling units, is one of the largest in Oyo State. The election is being contested by five candidates cleared by INEC, following primaries held after the seat became vacant.
