The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has announced that names of successful candidates at the just concluded screening of candidates vying for chairmanship and councillorship seats will be made known to political parties by 5th December, 2023.
Olagunju, while speaking on a live radio programme at the weekend in Ibadan, reiterated the commitment of the Commission to conducting a free, fair, credible and peaceful local government election by April 27th, 2024.
He explained that successful candidates and political parties would have the opportunity to start campaigning after the publication, which he said should be done peacefully.
The OYSIEC boss noted that lack of belief in previous electoral bodies by residents of the state, the country’s political structure, among others, responsible for voter apathy during local government elections.
He appealed to relevant stakeholders and residents of the state to see elections at the grassroots as personal projects, assuring that the Commission will provide a level playing ground for all the political parties.
While admonishing all and sundry to shun violence before, during and after the poll, Olagunju noted that the composition of ad-hoc staff to be engaged for the election would be based on merit.
“Let me appreciate political parties for their conduct during primaries because we have no record of violence nor petition as we had in 2021.
“Names of qualified candidates for the polls will be published by 5th December, 2023. By then, candidates can now campaign peacefully.
“It is disheartening to see people or groups involved in violence during elections, local government councils elections are for the people, and should be considered a personal assignment.
“In Nigeria, victims of election violence no longer have access to bail under the law, we urge political parties and residents to embrace peace before, during and after the election,” Olagunju said.
