The Ogun State Government, South West Nigeria has declared Friday, November 15, a work-free day for both civil and public servants in the state.
The work-free day is to enable the civil and public servants participate fully in the forthcoming local government elections, scheduled to take place across the 20 local government areas and 236 wards of the State on Saturday, November 16.
The work-free day aims to ensure active participation in the electoral process by allowing citizens to exercise their civic duties without hindrance.
The State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, said the decision demonstrates Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to promoting democratic participation and civic engagement in Ogun State.
“This decision aligns with Governor Abiodun’s efforts to prioritize the welfare and participation of citizens in the democratic processes,” he added.
Election credibility
Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state have disclosed plans to take to the streets in protest against the November 16 local government election if it fails to be free and fair.
The parties advised the state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to uphold its credibility and avoid the wrath of the people.
The State’s Publicity Secretary for the Labour Party, Tokunbo Peters, stated that if the announced results are contrary, the party would mobilize its supporters to protest the results.
Speaking on the party’s preparedness to participate in the elections, Mr Peters, stated that grassroots campaign has been taken to all the 20 local government areas of the state
“The Labour party in the state is fully prepared for this election. We have collation agents that would be at the wards and local governments and we would insist they give us the result sheets immediately they count the votes at the polling units and if the result declared is different from what was declared at the polling units we are going to protest, aside going to court we are going to call on our supporters to protest the results.”
Following guidelines
Similarly, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abayomi Tella, urged OGSIEC and other political parties to follow the guidelines of the election to avoid any issues.
“Our party is not violent. Whatever happens, we will take it in good faith if it is done well following the guidelines of the elections. Part of it is that we voted in the poll and our vote must be counted and announced. Once that is done, we don’t have any problem”,
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and state chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Abayomi Sanyaolu, reaffirmed the party’s preparedness and emphasized that OGSIEC had pledged a free and fair election and would hold them by their word.
The OGSIEC chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, assured that all political parties would be treated equally and that the election would be transparent, free, fair and credible.
He urged the people of the state to cast their votes without fear on the day of the election adding that the commission is collaborating with all security agencies in the state to ensure maximum security.
Emmanuel Ukoh
Comments are closed.