The Independent National Electoral Commissioner in Osun State has assured residents of a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election on Aug. 15.
The new Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, gave the assurance while addressing protesters at the commission’s office in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that protesters comprising market women and a civil society group protested the transfer of former REC, Dr Mutiu Agboke, alleging possible manipulation of the election.
Babalola, represented by the Head of Legal Department, Mr Niyi Fayanju, and the Head of Voters’ Education and Publicity, Mr Rufus Ariyo, assured the protesters that their votes would count.
She said that the commission had put in place arrangements to ensure that the August governorship election would be credible, free, fair, and conclusive.
The REC said the residents’ fear was understandable, promising that she was in the state to uphold the integrity of the commission and ensure that every vote would count.
She clarified that transfer of staff was the prerogative of the commission and that the transfer of the former REC was in line with civil service rules.
Some protesters who spoke with journalists said they learnt that the transfer of the former REC was politically motivated.
They advised the new REC not to compromise the process, but ensure that their votes count and not to work in favour of any political party.
Mrs Sadiat Amsat, Ms Temitope Abass, and Mrs Mary Adewale, who are artisans, appealed to INEC not to support any political party but to conduct the election transparently.
Mr Musa Abdulsalam, the Osun Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, who coordinated the protest, submitted the protesters’ petition to INEC officials.
NAN
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