Osun 2022: Electoral Commissioner Implores Political Parties to Shun violence.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Prof. Abdulganiyu Raji has implored political parties and their candidates to shun violence before, during and after the electoral processes.

Prof Raji stated that criminals are not faceless, urging residents to become more responsive in their various communities.

The Osun REC made the statement while addressing the Governorship candidates and key stakeholders during a Peace Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Osun Chapter tagged— ‘Omoluabi Convergence’ held in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Prof Raji, the keynote speaker of the day, expanded on the theme of the day which reads; Osun 2022: A state, its politics, economy and image; sustaining our values beyond elections

He mentioned that measures are in place to ensure that an inconclusive election is not the case this time as in the previous election.

Raji urged the electorate to “Sell your vote to somebody who will give you food for four years and teach you how to fish. You’re not collecting money from that candidate but the skill that you will use to cook for four years. That is the reward you will get from selling that vote. Why should we vote for the people that will give us the soup and food for only that day and they will now go to their houses?

“We are here today because we are discussing the reason why we had an inconclusive election the last time and that we don’t want a repeat show.

“If any candidate feels cheated, file a court suit. We are bound by the constitution to provide the due documents for the court proceedings. Why the fight? It is not a do-or-die affair. Follow the due process and don’t embrace violence. The candidates seated here have the voters register already,” the INEC official said.

Remarks

The NIPR National President, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo expressed joy over the resuscitation of the Osun Chapter while commending them for organising the summit.

Sirajo urged that the forthcoming election should be “a peaceful battle for the development of the state and improvement of the people’s welfare. There is no virtue in rancour or violence.”

Olusola Akintonde