Police Deploy Drones To Oversee Ondo Governorship Election

Ondo State Police Command has announced that drones will be used to monitor the state’s governorship election today, Saturday.

In a statement shared on its X account early Saturday, the Command confirmed that drones will be deployed around the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office and certain polling units.

The statement urged residents not to panic upon seeing drones, clarifying that they are part of police efforts to oversee the election.

“If you see a drone flying around INEC Office and some of the polling units, don’t get scared, the drones are Police Drones for election monitoring. Thanks.” the statement read.

The INEC and security agencies have finalized preparations for the election, as voters prepare to decide among 18 candidates vying for the governorship position.

Key contenders include the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both have served as deputies to the late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at different times.

With over 1.7 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected, the race is largely seen as a two-horse contest between Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi.

Other candidates include Abbas Mimiko (ZLP), Sola Ebiseni (LP), Otitoloju Akinmurele (YPP), Bamidele Akingboye (SDP), Omolere Akinuli (AA), Ajibola Abraham (Accord), Adeyemi Nejo (ADC), Olugbenga Edema (NNPP), Babatunde Alli (PRP), Adekunle Ajayi (AAC), Isaac Ogunfeyimi (APM), Babatunde Fadoju (APP), Olatunji Popoola (APGA), and Kehinde Paul (YP).

Ahead of the election, President Bola Tinubu called for peace and urged all stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly.

In a statement released Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized the importance of a democratic process that reflects the people’s will and allows them to freely choose their leaders.

This comes two months after Monday Okpebholo, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the winner of the Edo State governorship election.