Oyo State to Conduct Local Govts, LCDAs Election

‘Sakin Babalola,Ibadan

Gov Abiola Ajimobi

Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has declared that it would conduct elections in all the existing 33 local governments’ councils and the newly created 35 local council development authority (LCDAs) in the state by February 11, 2017.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Jide Ajeigbe during a familiarization visits to the Headquarters, 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Odogbo, Ibadan and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command.

According to the Chairman, the Commission embarked on the familiarization visits to all the security agencies in the state to ensure adequate security before, during and after the conduct of the election.

Ajeigbe noted that for the commission to achieve free and fair election, it is imperative to beef up security for the lives and properties of all and sundry and consequently restated the commitment and preparedness of the Commission in conducting a transparent election.

He however, canvassed for the support of the security agencies in maintaining law and order as well as peace which has been existing in the state, stressing that although, election is a civic responsibility but it is also entails security issue.

In their separate remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) headquarters 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Kasumu Abudulkarim and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant John Adewole pointed out that the commission has no other obligation  than to conduct election and it is essential to provide a conducive environment by abiding with the provisional guidelines of conducting local government polls.

While stressing the sensitivity attached to elections in the country, Major-General Abdulkarim enjoined the commission to take cognizance of the respondent (the Police) to maintain law and order.

The duo appreciated Governor Abiola Ajimobi for creating a peaceful environment in the state in the last five years, adding “anybody that says peace is expensive, let him try crisis.”

They therefore assured the commission of peaceful environment where the electorates can exercise their civic responsibilities

Commandant Adewole stressed “as a stakeholder to officiate incorruptible empire, we promise never to compromise on our job during and after the election. We are here to protect government assets and we are all government assets”.