Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, opponent, Mr Eyitayo Jegede has both expressed optimism that they will win the Saturday’s governorship election.
Akeredolu, who spoke with newsmen on Saturday shortly after voting at Ijebu 2 Unit 006 Ward 5, Ijebu-Owo in Owo local government area (LGA) of the state, said his confidence was in God
“I am confident about winning this election. I have always said my confidence is about God, and God, in his infinite mercies, will give me victory.
“I don’t know what will happen. All I know is that when my victory is announced, everybody will be joyous, there will be clapping and singing,” he said.
The governor, who described the voting at his unit as peaceful, urged voters to protect their votes.
“Cast your votes, move out of the place but don’t move too far, and ensure that you protect your votes so that your votes can be counted,” Akeredolu said.
In a similar vein, Jegede, on Saturday said that he was sure of emerging victorious in the governorship election.
Jedege also spoke with newsmen shortly after he cast his vote at Ward 2, Unit 9 at Sacred Heart Primary School in Akure.
The PDP candidate, who waited for about 30 minutes on queue before the card reader could clear him to vote, expressed his dissatisfaction over the malfunctioning of the card reader.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to put more efforts into making the card readers to work perfectly well to enable the electorate to cast their votes.
Earlier, there was a downpour but thousands of prospective voters defied it and waited at their polling units to cast their votes.
Jegede who arrived his polling unit for accreditation and voting in company with his wife, Eno, expressed delight with the large turnout of voters.
The PDP’s candidate declined the offer to cast his vote ahead of intending voters he met on a long queue.
“I won’t vote ahead of the people I met here. These people left some other duties to come and perform their civic responsibilities.
“Nobody is above the law and we must lay good examples to enhance the true democratic culture,” he said.