Soliu Owoyabu, Abeokuta
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ogun state, Niyi Ijalaye has disclosed that the Commission’s collaboration with security agencies assures peaceful and violence free elections.
Ijalaye disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing the newsmen at the Election Observers’ briefing held at the commission state headquarters, Magbon, Abeokuta the state capital.
He enjoined the electorates to come out peacefully on election day to exercise their franchise for candidates of their choice, adding that there won’t be any violence on the election day.
“We are precisely about three days to the elections and you can see I am sandwiches by top security officers of Ogun state and members of security team that collaborates with INEC and we have been strategizing and re-strategizing on the way forward to ensure that elections in Ogun State will be devoid of rancor or violence of any sort.
“We want to seize this opportunity to appeal to the good people of Ogun State to endeavor to come out peacefully on Saturday and exercise their franchise, their civic responsibility to vote for candidate and party of their choice”, he added
In his remark, The commissioner of police in the state CP Frank Mba assured residents of their safety before, during and after the election.
He added that the security operatives will not be partisan on the Election day and will ensure all citizen exercise their Civic right without any form of intimidation by security personnel.
“The police will ensure that the residents and citizen of Ogun State to be able to cast their vote in an atmosphere that is free of violence.
“The second thing we have also resolved is to ensure that we all maintain our political neutrality. For the purpose of this election, we are assuring all citizens of Ogun State that we will not only going to do our job and do them effectively, we will be politically neutral.
“We will provide a level playing field to everyone irrespective of your political party, irrespective of your beliefs as long as you act and behave within the confine of the law.
“I want to use this opportunity to caution anyone planning any form of violence that this state will be too hot for them.
“The unfortunate incident in Sagamu has actually strengthen our resolve to come out stronger and better. Therefore if you are a potential trouble maker, we advise you to either repent or leave the state or you will be ready to cool off in the prisons”, he noted