By YINUSA ISHOLA

The Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo, has applauded the people of Ekiti for the peaceful and massive participation in Saturday’s Governorship election in the state.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for the professional handling of the exercise.

Ojo, married to President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, Folashade, spoke shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 04, Ward 04, Erijiyan-Ekiti, in the Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

The FHA boss said INEC had performed creditably well in spite of the minor challenges, especially in the areas of the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, logistics, enlightenment of voters.

“Looking at the timeframe and reports coming from across the state, people are still casting their votes. I have just voted now.

“Considering information available to me on this exercise, I will score INEC about 76 per cent in terms of logistics and deployment of materials.

“To be honest, security agencies deserve 100 per cent. This is a day election and security has been massively deployed across the state and the state is generally peaceful.

“You journalists have been moving round since yesterday and there is no report of violence.

“Security personnel have been wonderful and I want to use this opportunity to commend all the security agencies,” Ojo said.

Speaking on the importance of the election ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ojo expressed optimism that the conduct of the poll would provide useful lessons for future electoral exercises in the country.

He described Ekiti as one of President Tinubu’s strongholds and predicted that the state would deliver even more votes to the President during next year presidential election.

“This is President Tinubu’s state and this election is only the beginning of good things to come. By the time we have the presidential election, you will see more votes.

“With the performance of our governor, the people of Ekiti and our relationship with President Tinubu, I can assure you that the presidential election may record more votes than the 2023,” he said. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Oyetunji Ojo casting his vote at his country home, Erijiyan-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, during Saturday’s Governorship election in Ekiti