Ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated governorship election, the Ondo State Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) a public holiday for all workers in the state. The announcement is aimed at providing the workers with enough time to travel to their respective communities in preparation for the election, which will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024. This move is part of the government's efforts to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their civic rights without any hindrances on the day of the election.
The declaration of the public holiday was made in an official press release that was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, O. F. Ayodele, on Thursday. The statement emphasized the importance of allowing state workers to return to their local communities to cast their votes in the upcoming election. It also highlighted that this was an important step in ensuring widespread participation in the electoral process.
In the statement, the state government instructed all accounting officers in the various ministries, departments, and agencies to promptly inform their staff about the public holiday. This is to ensure that all workers are adequately notified and can make necessary preparations to travel and vote in their localities. The announcement has been met with positive reactions from the public, as many workers have been anticipating this official recognition of the election day as a day off from work.
In related news, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is tasked with overseeing the election process, took another significant step toward ensuring a smooth election by distributing sensitive election materials to all 18 local government areas in Ondo State. The distribution of these materials took place at the Akure branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday and was closely monitored by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola. This distribution process is crucial as it ensures that the election materials reach their destinations well in advance of the voting day, allowing for proper preparation and a smooth electoral process.
During the distribution exercise, Babalola reassured the residents of Ondo State, political parties, and all relevant stakeholders about the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent, free, and fair election. She expressed confidence in the seamless distribution of sensitive materials across the state and stated that the Commission was fully committed to ensuring that the election process is fair and unbiased. “You can see that the distribution exercise is going on very smoothly. The farthest local governments have started moving to their local governments. All the other local governments, they have received their materials, they are checking and they are loading the vehicles,” she said, highlighting the efficient organization of the distribution process.
The Ondo state governorship election is shaping up to be a highly contested race, as 17 political parties are participating, each with its candidate vying for the top office. Among the major contenders is the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is seeking re-election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The election is expected to be a key event in the state’s political landscape, and it is drawing significant attention from both local and national observers. With the official public holiday in place and the distribution of election materials underway, all eyes are now set on Saturday's election, where the people of Ondo State will have the opportunity to determine the direction of their leadership for the coming years.