OGUN INEC COMMISSIONER PROMISES FREE, FAIR ELECTION

OGUN INEC COMMISSIONER PROMISES FREE, FAIR ELECTION

The Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Niyi Ijalaye has promised free and fair election  which in no doubt will be the first of its kind, acceptable by all parties.

The Residents Electoral Commissioner ,Mr Niyi Ijalaye while delivering his speech during the meeting, expressed his satisfaction at the turn out of all stakeholders stating that his appointment as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State will further improve on the mandate of conducting free, fair, credible and acceptable election.  

He added that one of the main reasons for organizing the stakeholders meeting was based on information reaching the management of INEC Ogun State on the issue of the security breach which occurred at Ijoko Registration Area 05 AUD School which calls for  deliberation to proffer a lasting solution to forestall future reccurrence in any part of the Local Government area in Ogun State.

Mr Niyi Ijalaye delved extensively by informing the gathering that the 4th quarter of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)  starts on Monday 11the of April, 2022.

According to him, "it is our intention to rotate the INEC Voter Enrollment Devise (IVED) throughout the 236 registration areas with particular attention to the newly created Polling Units (PUs). This is to ensure that we maintain and populate these Polling Units because the Commission may cancel any Polling Unit that is less than 50 registrations", he said.

He also placed on record that the Continuous Voters Registration exercise will be rounded up by 30th of June, 2022 as such eligible registrants should avail themselves the opportunity of getting registered before the deadline adding that for the avoidance of doubt, eligible Nigerians to participate in the exercise include:
1. Those who are Nigerians and 18 years above 
2. Registered Voters who have had any issues during accreditation at previous election
3. Registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another
4. Registered voters who want to correct issues with their data such as misspelt names, dates of birth amongst others. 
5. Registered voters whose permanent Voters Cards are damaged, defaced or lost. He continued by stating that collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for those that registered between 2010 and 2011 as still on going in all the Commission's offices at the Local Government Areas (LGAs) while those who registered during the ongoing continuous Voters Registration Exercise which started in June 2021 till date will be communicated when their cards are ready for collection.

The Ogun State INEC boss called the attention of the gathering most especially the political class to the timetable and schedule of activities for 2023 General election released by the Commission on the 26th February, 2022 which includes the conduct of party primaries, nomination of candidates by political parties and other activities leading to the election. He said that all activities are inline with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Electoral Act. 2022 reiterating that parties must strictly adhere to the principles of internal democracy, drawing from their constitutions, guidelines, the Electoral Act and other Regulations and Guidelines issued by the Commission.

The Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo /Ota Local Government ENGR. Sheriff Adewale Musa ably represented by the Secretary to the local government Mr Abiodun Akonthe Sejoro while speaking, appreciated the INEC Boss for deeming it fit to grace the meeting and his extensive speech on the issue of Continuous Voters Registration Exercise and preparation towards the coming 2023 general election. 

Musa assured INEC of the local government's  maximum support in the area of  public awareness and mobilization. 

The Chairman Ogun State Awori Obas Forum, His Royal Majesty Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege PhD, MCIPR, MPRIL, FHEA, Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode while speaking on behalf of Awori Obas commended the decision of INEC for coming up with the idea of stakeholders meeting as it will surely serve as an avenue to further sensitize the masses and to equally raise their consciousness towards the coming 2023 General Election.  His Majesty concluded by urging the people of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area to move out en masse in ensuring that they register at their various Polling Units. 

Olota assured the INEC boss and his team that he will lead the registration campaign by ensuring that he gets registered.

The Area Commander Nigeria Police Force Sango Command ACP Mohammed Musa while speaking on behalf of other security agencies present, appreciated the Ogun Resident Electoral Commission Mr Niyi Ijalaye for the timely stakeholders meeting and assured the gathering of adequate protection at all times.

Earlier speaking, the Electoral Officer Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Mrs Abimbola Ogungbemi while welcoming the INEC Boss and and the gathering thanked them for their steadfastness Cooperation and support for being part of the stakeholders meeting. 

She stated that INEC Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government in its drive at creating necessary awareness and ensuring that all stages of the Continuous Voters Registration Exercise ranging from Pre-registration, transfers, defaced,  lost, updates and collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are carried out meeting with almost all stakeholders at the Local Government and ward levels which has increased the total number of eligible voters registered. 

She however stated that despite INEC's efforts at educating and encouraging eligible voters to take advantage of this very significant exercise, there are still a lot to be achieved.