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Residents of Okitipupa in Ondo State moved freely on Saturday despite a restriction order announced ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial by-election, with commercial activities continuing across the town.
The state police command had announced restrictions on human and vehicular movement from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. across the senatorial district to ensure security during the election.
However, a check by the News Agency of Nigeria in the Okitipupa metropolis revealed that many residents were moving freely, while shops were open for business and commercial motorists and okada riders were busy picking passengers.
Checks across major inter-state motor parks operating in Okitipupa revealed that transporters did not comply with the restriction order.
Mrs Iyabo Aderanti, a passenger travelling to Akure, described the by-election as “just a filler for vacant position.”
“I have a business meeting to catch up with and this election is not a serious one, I just have to go for my business and which will fetch me better money,” she said.
Deployment of INEC ad-hoc staff in Okitipupa for the Ondo South by-election has been delayed due to logistical challenges, leaving several units stranded despite the distribution of sensitive electoral materials. @igbalaniyi reports. pic.twitter.com/siVzuWztlS
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 20, 2026
Mr Niyi Akindele, a commercial driver, also said economic pressures compelled him to work despite the restriction.
“Everything is skyrocketing now, and one needs to work hard to make ends meet, so I can’t lose today’s money because of the by-election,” he said.
A visit to polling units 14, 16 and 17, Ward 1, in Okitipupa revealed that INEC ad hoc staff arrived early with sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
Police officers were seen manning polling units as voters queued for accreditation.
Miss Jade Babalola, one of the INEC ad hoc staff, told NAN that she and her colleagues arrived at their polling unit at about 7:00 a.m. and were ready to perform their assigned duties.
“We have been here since 7:00 a.m. and as you can see, we have arranged the ballot box, cubicle and all the materials are here, we are only waiting for the voters to be here,” she said.
The by-election is being held across the six local government areas of Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
