Oyo committed to conduct of council poll–Ojo

The Chief of Staff to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Dr Gbade Ojo, has reiterated the commitment of the state government to the conduct of local council election in the state.

Ojo, who declared open a two-day retreat for commissioners and staff of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) in Ibadan, said government was sincere in its commitment to conducting the council poll.

“Government is determined to conduct a credible council election. That is the reason it constituted OYSIEC and appointed commissioners as part of its readiness for the conduct of council election.

“Between 2011 and 2015, government did not constitute OYSIEC nor appointed commissioners because it was not ready.

“But now an electoral body has been put in place, it shows commitment to conducting the election,’’ he said.

Ojo further urged the commissioners and other staff to ensure the credibility of the electoral process, saying it was their responsibility to conduct a poll that would be acceptable to all.

He admonished the electoral body to comply with the local government laws of Oyo State that guides the conduct of council election.

Ojo also advised OYSIEC staff to familiarise themselves with the LCDAs boundaries in order to ascertain the number of councillors to be produced in the new wards to be created.

He called on the commission to make a representation to the governor soonest on the creation of the additional wards for proper documentation.

Ojo, however, cautioned the staff of the commission against collecting gratification from politicians, urging them to maintain their integrity.

In his opening remarks, Mr Jide Ajeigbe, the Chairman of OYSIEC, said the retreat would give the staff opportunity to get updated information on the electoral process.

Ajeigbe commended the state government for the retreat, saying this would boost capacity building.

Dr Aremu Fakolade, one of the resource persons at the retreat and Head of Special Education, University of Ibadan, said the retreat would enhance the job of the commission in conducting the poll.

Fakolade said the retreat would also allow the commissioners to know more about their roles of monitoring and observing the poll.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat had as theme, “Mechanism to be put in Place Toward Conducting Free, Fair and Credible election in the local Government Areas of Oyo State.’’

It was organised by Divine Crown Management Investment Limited in collaboration with OYSIEC.