Seeking the support of Ondo State traditional rulers towards the maintenance of peace by the relevant authorities has become imperative particularly now that the state is set for governorship election comes October 10th, 2020.
Chairman, Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mammud Yakubu made the remark while addressing Ondo State obas during an interactive session with the traditional rulers in Akure.
The INEC head, who harped on the need for the obas to prevail on their subjects towards the conduct of a peaceful governorship election in the sunshine state, implored the traditional rulers not to relent in their prayers for peace before, during and after the gubernatorial election in the state.
Professor Mammud Yakubu informed the gathering that the commission would do everything possible to promptly deploy materials to every part of the state, including the remote areas so as to avoid unnecessary delay of the vote processing.
Earlier, Chairman, Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland lauded the commission’s efforts in the just concluded Edo State governorship election, noting that such efforts should be replicated in Ondo State election come October 10th, 2020.
Oba Akinruntan, on behalf of other traditional rulers in the state, promised INEC of the needed support from the kings for the conduct of the state’s gubernatorial election.
In a related development, all sensitive materials for the conduct of Ondo State governorship election have been delivered to Central Bank of Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for onward transmission to Ondo State comes October 5th, 2020.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mammud Yakubu made the declaration while addressing journalists in Akure.
Professor Yakubu, who submitted that INEC had put necessary machinery in place for seamless delivery of all election materials in the state, hinted that more than five thousand card reader machines from Oyo would be deployed for the governorship election in Ondo State.
The INEC chairman while informing the gathering about the need for peace before, during and after the election, informed the gathering that the National Peace Committee under the leadership of the former head of state, General Abdulsam Abubakar had made necessary arrangement for all candidates in the election to sign peace treaty by next week Tuesday.
Professor Yakubu, who implored all journalists billed to cover the election to increase the flow of voters’ education, also charged the media personnel to enlighten people more on the need to give attention to COVID-19 ameliorating measures.
Oguntoye/Abudu