New Ondo REC resumes duty

The new Ondo state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Mutiu Agboke, deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially resumed duty.

Barrister Agboke who resumed duty shortly after meeting the staff of the commission, said he is ready to discharge his role without fear or favour in line with the electoral mandate of the commission.

He spoke while also addressing journalists at the conference hall of the Alagbaka office of the Commission in Akure, the state capital adding that the staff must be upright in their daily roles and activities in the commission’s office.

The Daily Times reported that Barrister Agboke replaced Mr. Segun Agbaje whose tenure expired few months ago in the state.

The new REC said he would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors by ensuring transparency and accountability in the dealings of electoral activities in the state.

Agboke explained that his new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state would also ensure a proper synergy with all stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve success in the electoral system.

He said that the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise would be given maximum support in ensuring that those who are now eligible to vote participate in the ongoing exercise.

“The success of any election starts with the proper conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise and I can assure that it would be given the total commitment it deserves.

“We would meet the stakeholders in the electoral process and also partner with the Civil Society Organizations in propagating the true essence of participation in the ongoing CVR exercise”.

Agboke stressed that the electoral commission under his leadership in the state would be stand firm and remain an unbiased umpire in ensuring free and fair polls.

“I will not compromised the oath of office nor allow anybody to intimidate me. No one will penetrate and I will stand by the principle of one man and one vote.

“We won’t disappoint the people of Ondo state and we will not rest on our oars in meeting the mandate of the people by conducting free and fair elections” he added.

He disclosed that part of the mandate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is to take the success of the commission beyond the 2015 general elections.

The REC advised those who have attained the voting age of eighteen years and above but had not registered in the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise to ensure they get enlisted in order to participate in the democratic process of the country.

Barrister Agboke who is from Ogun state and alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife was among the 14 RECs recently sworn in by the Commission’s Chairman in Abuja.