By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

Yiaga Africa, a leading civic organisation dedicated to electoral transparency and democracy, has commended the people of Ondo State for maintaining peace and order throughout the 2024 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group praised voters, election officials, and stakeholders for upholding the principles of democracy during the voting, counting, and results collation processes.

The organisation described the electoral process as relatively calm and orderly, attributing the peaceful atmosphere to the commitment of Ondo State residents to democratic values.

Yiaga Africa noted that this was a clear demonstration of the people’s interest in actively participating in the governance of their state through a credible electoral process.

“The 2024 Ondo State governorship election is a testament to the resilience and maturity of the people of Ondo State. Their peaceful conduct during voting, counting, and collation of results is commendable and reflects a deep commitment to democratic ideals,” the statement read.

Yiaga Africa highlighted several key observations from the election, including the timely arrival of election materials in most polling units and the general compliance of electoral officials with established guidelines.

The group also noted that the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) contributed significantly to the transparency and efficiency of the process.

Despite isolated incidents of logistical challenges and minor delays, Yiaga Africa confirmed that these issues did not undermine the overall credibility of the election.

The group also acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in ensuring a peaceful environment throughout the state.

“While there were reports of minor delays and isolated logistical challenges, these did not significantly impact the overall credibility of the election. We also commend the security agencies for their professional conduct in maintaining peace and order during the exercise,” the statement continued.

Yiaga Africa congratulated the newly re-elected Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his historic victory and urged him to prioritise inclusive governance and the welfare of all Ondo State residents.

The organisation further called on political stakeholders to respect the outcomes of the election and channel any grievances through lawful means, reinforcing the importance of unity and collaboration for the state’s progress.

As a part of its post-election recommendations, Yiaga Africa encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue refining its processes to enhance efficiency and trust in subsequent elections.

“This election underscores the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in ensuring credible elections. Yiaga Africa remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic journey and promoting electoral transparency,” the statement concluded.