Osun Warms Up for LG Election

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, says it is set to conduct a free, fair and credible local government election.

The Chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Mr Hashim Abioye stated this while addressing Journalists after a Panel Interview organised by the League of Veteran Journalists at NUJ Conference Centre, Iwo Road, Osogbo.

Mr. Abioye noted that all the 18 political parties in the state would be participating in the forthcoming local government election which is unprecedented in the history of Osun state.

The Chairman gave assurance over the security of all citizens and stakeholders in the electoral process.

“I assure you that the security arrangements we have on the ground is topnotch that you will appreciate at the end of the day”. 

He explained that OSSIEC would be having sensitization and campaign programmes against electoral violence by sensitizing the commercial drivers and Okada riders and visiting violence-prone areas to sensitise them on ensuring peaceful elections.

He maintained that the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do not allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct Local Government Election, hence, the process of appointment of members of OSSIEC was thorough, fair and in accordance with the laid down procedure.

“So that is to say that, in so far the constitutional process has been duly followed, there shouldn’t be any worry at all. It is about commitment, it is about upholding the ethics and the tenet of your mandate once you find yourself in a position like this”.

Speaking on Local Government Autonomy, the OSSIEC Chairman said though the Supreme Court excluded the state from receiving funds on behalf of local government, however, according to the constitution, the Executives cannot spend from the purse of Local Government without informing or appropriating by the State House of Assembly. 

Mr Abioye advised politicians to play the game by the rules, urging the electorate to come out during the election to vote for the candidates of their choice.

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