The Chairman , Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission ( OYSIEC ) , Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, has allayed the fears of political parties in the state on possibilities of witnessing credible polls at the grassroots , saying that the commission is determined to change the narrative .
Aare Olagunju , who emphasized the need for total involvement of members of the political parties and other key stakeholders’ in the election process, promised not to promote illegalities but ensure that the votes of the people counts .
He stated this during the trust and confidence building tour of members of the commission to the leaderships of Zenith Labour Party ( ZLP) and African Action Congress ( AAC ) at their Secretariats , Samada and Old Bodija , Housing Estates, Ibadan, respectively.
Olagunju said it was high time for relevant stakeholders to work together and give the people of the state voting options for them to enjoy dividends of democracy particularly at the grassroots.
Olagunju maintained that failure of political parties to participate in local government council elections remains one of the factors that paved ways for perpetrators of election misconducts in the past , hence , political parties need to have trust in present OYSIEC team and participate actively in the forthcoming local government council elections .
He appealed to the parties to begin to mobilize their members ahead of the polls and also reach out to the populace on the need to put an end to vote buying.
“We are aware of the vigorous task before us , our integrity is at stake and by God’s grace we would not do anything that will deminish our integrity ” .
” Let me say that you are critical stakeholder and there will be a continuous relationship with all stakeholders”
” Be assured that your votes will count, we won’t place one political party above others ,what is important as party , is to play by the rules, play your part by particapating actively in all the election processes “.
In their separate remarks, the Chairmen ,Zenith Labour Party ( ZLP) , Comrade Wole Abisoye and Comrade Rotimi Ogunlana of African Action Congress ( AAC ) Oyo state , admonished OYSIEC team to put in place a workable system and also provide a level playing ground to aids massive participation by political parties .
The duo , who expressed displeasures on conduct of local government council elections in the state and country at large , advised the team to be conscious of their integrity and endeavour to leave good legacy by keeping to their promises .
Comrade Ogunlana , while appreciating members of the commission for the initiative, which he described as first of its kind , assured them of maximum support .
