By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has insisted that there will be no going back on the February 11, 2017 local government elections in all the existing 33 local governments’ councils and the newly created 35 local council development authority (LCDAs) in the state.
OYSIEC Chairman Mr Jide Ajar stated this during a familiarization visits to the headquarters of the 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Odor, IBM and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command.
Mr Ajar said the familiarization visit to security agencies in the state was part of commission’s efforts at ensuring adequate security before, during and after the conduct of the February 2017 local government polls.
He emphasized that for OYSIEC to “achieve free and fair election, it is imperative to beef up security for the lives and properties of all and sundry” in the state.
The OYSIEC Chairman while stressing that the commission was committed and fully prepared to conduct a transparent election solicited the support of the security agencies in maintaining law and order during the election.
Stressing that in as much as election is a civic responsibility, Mr Ajar said “it also entails security issue”.
In their separate remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) headquarters 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Kasey Abudulkarim and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Commandant John Adewole emphasized the need for OYSIEC to conduct free and fair election and it is essential to provide a conducive environment by abiding with the provisional guidelines of conducting local government polls.
