As collation of results commences in the Ondo State governorship election, security measures have been heightened at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre in Akure, the state capital.
To ensure a secure environment ahead of the arrival of results, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed a surveillance aircraft to monitor the area, according to a report by Channels Television.
In addition to aerial surveillance, mounted police officers on horses were spotted within the premises, ready to respond to any potential security breaches. Access to the collation centre has been strictly restricted, with movement in and out of the premises closely monitored as results from the state’s 18 Local Government Areas are being transported to the centre.
The election features 17 candidates cleared by INEC, but the race is widely seen as a contest between the incumbent, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the collation process.