The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), has called for more public engagement in the administration of local governments.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, made this call while featuring on a television programme tagged “Ahead of Ogun LG Polls”, in Abeokuta.
Osibodu said, “it is a positive development that people are more interested in the administration of the local government. There is a need for persons of high calibre, with integrity, proven track records, and experience, people who are in the twilight of their life and have something to give back, to come on board in order to have a robust administration at the local government level”.
He assured the citizens of the state that the election will be conducted with sincerity of purpose, without fear or favour, equitable, fair and just to all and sundry, adding that OGSIEC would operate an open door policy for any aggrieved political party, or persons, to come in and express their grievances for redress where appropriate.
The Chairman noted that as part of the electoral process, there would be more engagements with relevant stakeholders, while the commission would commence in earnest advocacy visits to traditional rulers and various groups.
Also speaking, a political analyst, Hon. Aina Akinpelu, commended the efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring local government autonomy, admonishing chairmen who will emerge to have an understanding of what the office entails, as they are more accountable to the people.