Some residents of Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State moved freely on Saturday despite a restriction order announced ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial by-election.

The police command in the state had announced a restriction on human and vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm across the senatorial district on Saturday to ensure security during the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the by-election is holding across the six local government areas of Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.

A check by a NAN correspondent in Okitipupa metropolis revealed that many residents were moving freely, while commercial activities were ongoing as shops remained open for business.

NAN also reports that many commercial motorists and motorcycle operators were busy picking passengers from one area to another without any compliance with the restriction order.

Checks across major inter-state motor parks operating in Okitipupa showed that transporters also 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.

Mr Niyi Akindele, a commercial driver, also said, “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.”

A visit to polling units 14, 16 and 17 in Ward 1, Okitipupa, revealed that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff arrived early with both sensitive and non-sensitive materials.

Police officers were also seen manning the 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 7am and were ready to perform their assigned duties.

“We have been here since 7am 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. (NAN)