BY OLUMIDE ABUDU
Voting has commenced in the by-election to fill the vacant seat of the Akoko NorthEast/NorthWest Federal Constituency in Ondo state.
The By-election followed the resignation of the Reps member occupying the seat, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo having been appointed as Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu.
The election process started around eight o’clock in the morning and voters were seen in their numbers exercising their franchise.
At Ikado 2 Unit 5, in Ugbe Akoko, Electoral officers were seen accrediting voters before Voting.
Men of Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and other security agencies were on ground to maintain peace and forestall any unforseen circumstances.
There were also restrictions on movement in the affected areas while security agencies mounted road blocks and checkpoints.
Eight political parties including one female candidate and seven males are contesting in the by-election.
The political parties and candidates are Mr Ishmail Adeshina of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Ifeoluwa Ehindero, All Progressive Congress (APC), Mrs Victoria Adesuyi, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Mr Olarewaju Ajagunna of Action’s People Party (APP).
Others include Mr Ibrahim Arisekola of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Olusola Akadiri, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr Olalekan Bada; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mr Muritala Ogunleye of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).