INEC SOLICITS SUPPORT OF LAGOS COUNCIL OF OBAS, CHIEFS FOR PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF 2019 ELECTIONS
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Lagos State, has solicited for the support of Royal fathers in Lagos State towards peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general election across the State.
Addressing the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs at an interactive session with stakeholders last week in Ikeja, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Mr. Sam Olumekun said that the task of ensuring peaceful election was not only the responsibility of the Commission but that of all including traditional rulers who are custodian of culture and tradition within their respective domain.
He charged them to take advantage of the politicians who would be visiting them for their royal blessings at the poll to preach the message of peace, fairness and violence-free election.
“Politicians are members of our communities, many of them will come and seek for your spiritual blessing for their political quests, you are well positioned therefore to admonish them towards ensuring peaceful and successful conduct of forthcoming 2019 general election”, Olumekun said
He assured the royal fathers that INEC is committed to credible elections and will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that every vote counts in the state.
While noting that Lagos State has 8,462 polling units and 4, 961 voting points, he urged the residents registered voters to collect their PVCs from 16th January to Monday 21st January and thereafter, they can collect at the Local Government INEC offices until 8th February, 2019.
In his words, “As the custodian of our moral values, the need for peaceful elections is absolutely necessary to consolidate and deepen democracy in the country. No matter how well elections are conducted, if the outcome is conflict-ridden and violent, it loses its democratic credentials”.
The Commissioner emphasised that there was a need to collaborate with all stakeholders including the traditional institutions to ensure that peace reign before, during and after 2019 elections, while urging members of the public to contact Commission on 09056369789/08145419483 for more information on the forthcoming elections.
In his contribution, the Onisiwo of Tomaro and Abagbo in Eti-Osa Local Government, HRM, Oba Adio Muhammed assured INEC of the support and blessings of the royal fathers, saying that since INEC is prepared to play its part, the royal fathers are also ready to play their roles as stakeholders in peaceful conduct of elections.
He acknowledged the success of INEC in previous elections just as he expressed the hope that the Commission would improve on the forthcoming elections.
Speaking on the issue of security, the Oniworo of Iworo, Oba Oladele Friday Kosoko solicited for prompt responses from security operatives and the need to pay special attention to the inter lands because of the peculiarities of securing electorates in those areas as well as timely delivery of voting material.
Oniworo also tasked INEC to address the issue of voters apathy through rigorous awareness and sensitization of electorates in their native dialect for better understanding.
