The Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election on Saturday got off to a slow start, with low voter turnout reported at numerous polling units.

The by-election was prompted by the death of Hon. Olajide Akinremi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing the constituency, who passed away on July 10.

Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at several polling centres as early as 7:30 a.m., but voter turnout remained low as the election got underway.

By 8:22 a.m. at Ward 10, Unit 26 in Bodija, and 8:27 a.m. at Ward 5, Unit 19, INEC personnel were already present and setting up materials in readiness for the day’s voting exercise.

“We are 100 percent ready at Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ward 5, Unit 26. As you can see, we are setting up and waiting for voters. The voters’ list will be pasted soon,” said Omolara Gbamigbade, an INEC official at the unit.

Bolaji Abiona, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent at Ward 10, Unit 26, affirmed that all officials were fully prepared for the election. “Everything is set. INEC is here, the police are here. We are waiting for people so accreditation and voting can commence,” he said.

At Ward 10, Unit 27, inside the Police Station at Bodija Housing Corporation, the first voter, Miss Oluwaseun Omisakin, showed up at 9:07 a.m. and finished voting in just five minutes.

After voting, she commended how smoothly the process went. “I quickly located my name on the posted voters’ list. The INEC officials conducted themselves very well. Although there was a small issue with the BVAS device, it was resolved efficiently,” she remarked.

However, NAN noted that as of the time of reporting, only Omisakin and one other voter had shown up at the polling unit.

At Ward 8, Unit 031 in Sango, across from Gateway Baptist Church, a contrasting scenario unfolded as PDP agent Ajayi Lucas raised concerns over the delayed arrival of election officials.

“We’ve been calling the collation officer to report the absence of INEC officials. They didn’t show up until 9:50 a.m. This is unacceptable. It shouldn’t happen in an election,” Lucas said.

Similarly, no INEC officials had arrived at Ward 8, Unit 1 in Sango as of the time of filing the report.