Osun 2018: PDP Urges Resident Electoral Commissioner To Be Transparent, Honest

The Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic party (PDP) has urged the new Resident Electoral commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje to be transparent, honest and generally above board in the conduct of the state’s Governorship election slated for September 22, this year.

The party gave this admonition to Mr Agbaje in a release issued by the State chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo and made available to CityMirrorNews on Friday in Osogbo.

While welcoming the Electoral commissioner to the State ahead of the Governorship election holding in September, the PDP noted that its recent experience with a former holder of the same office in person of Mr. Rufus Akeju makes it imperative that it alerts the new REC of the need to avoid being partisan and thus tarnishing his reputation in his assignment as a chief umpire.

” We are not unmindful of the fact that desperate elements in the ruling APC who compromised the process leading up to the 2014 governorship election are still here and ready to repeat same. They have again been boasting that the INEC will be compromised. We hope that Mr Agbaje will not fall into their evil trap because this time around, our party will fully resist any attempt by those anti-democratic forces to subvert the will of the good people of Osun state.”

Hon. Adagunodo called the attention of the new REC to the records of the by-elections in Ife State Constituency and the Osun West Senatorial District which were adjudged to be free, fair and credible by National and international observers to the extent that they could not be challenged by the losers in any court or tribunal.

While expressing the determination of the PDP to play by the rules, the party reminded the INEC boss that all eyes are on him to determine whether or not the Electoral body will indeed be independent and professional in its handling of the Osun Governorship polls which is the major election before the 2019 Presidential elections.

” This is indeed a litmus test for Mr Agbaje and we hope he stands to be counted on the side of truth, justice, fairness and uncompromising adherence to the Laws governing the conduct of elections in Nigeria. The people of Osun state are desirous of a peaceful and credible transition of power and they must not be denied of that”

The PDP chairman calls on party members and the electorate to be vigilant at all times and report any untoward acts or attempted acts by any electoral officer to the party secretariat and Law enforcement agencies for prompt action.