Potential electorates in oyo state have been charged to be part of the electoral processes of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission ( OYSIEC ) and play their roles as expected on election day .
The OYSIEC Boss, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju ( SAN ) gave the charge while delivering a lecture titiled ” A Free , Fair and Credible Local Government Election : The Role of The Citizens ” at the 8th Annual Congress Of Civil Coalition for Good Governance ( CCGG ) , Oyo Sate , organised by Justice , Development and Peace Commission ( JDPC) ,held at Basorun, Ibadan .
Aare Olagunju , represented at the event by the electoral commissioner , Mr. Olanrewaju Emmanuel , submitted that the roles of citizens particularly eligible voters cannot be over emphasized in attaining good governance at all levels of government .
Olagunju , disclosed further that electorates have to be familiar with candidates aspiring for political posts and examine them critically for the community to enjoy the dividends of democracy .
The commission chairman, who described electorate as king in election processes , said it was essential for people to show interest in political news broadcast by the media particularly those related to OYSIEC and conversant with vote pattern or systems to avert void ballout paper on election day .
While appreciating the leadership of CCGG for the initiative, Olagunju, appealed to the people of the state to shun vote buying and other vices that could denied them of democracy dividends in their localities .
” We appreciate CCGG for mobilizing people from eleven local government areas of the state to listen to us and we hope to have similar gathering in the remaining local governments”
” Electorates are Kings , especially on election day . We are appealing to the electorates to treat local government council elections like that of house of Representatives, president and the likes .
” We want to see people trooping in large number for local government polls, if possible , the cue to exceed national elections”
” Vote buying has been a major threath to good governance in recent times. We should not sell our right with stipends, rather go for credible candidates, get familiar with voting procedures , above all , cast your vote promptly for candidates of choice on election day for the benefit of all and sundry ” He concluded.
In his welcome address , the State Facilitator Alhaji Amusa Ladiran , said the rationale behind the event was to provide platform for OYSIEC team to enlighten the participants on the forth coming local government council elections, having realise the importance of citizens’ engagement in the conduct of elections, particularly the grassroots .
Alhaji Ladiran who described local government administration as most impactive , said CCGG is passionate about enlighten the populace on the need to give room for good government at all tiars of government through active involvement of citizens .
” Today we are holding the 8th annual congress under the auspices of Justice , Development and Peace Commission ( JDPC) , Ibadan . Our priority is to witness good governance in all tiars of government and felt the leadership of OYSIEC should be part of the event to tell us their level of preparedness for upcoming local government council elections been the closest to the masses “.
” Citizens have power in attaining good governance but majority of us have lost the power to pea nut from politicians .
” This act is a way of giving back to the society , during the last elections will engaged aspirants , listen to their manifestos and many signed mandate .
” This gives us opportunity to drawn their attention to certain issue, plans are underway for similar event come 2021 ahead of Local government council elections to ensure people get the required support in terms of performance in all sectors of human endeavors”
Speaking on behalf of participants, Morenikeji Segun , lagelu local government and Adesokan Adeniran, from Ibarapa East , advised the commission to prioritize security of lives and property on election day and intensify efforts on its campaign to aids massive participation .