ABEOKUTA – The Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Barr. Babatunde Osibodu has disclosed that he is neither an APC card carrying member nor a member of any other political parties.
Osibodu disclosed this on Monday at a stakeholder’s meeting with political parties in Abeokuta.
The OGSIEC Chairman explained that the Commission’s integrity and image would be doubted if members of the electoral body remain partial.
He assured political parties in the state that the Commission would ensure the coming local government elections are free and fair.
He charged political parties in the state to canvass electorate with issue based manifesto to encourage large turn out of voters.
Osibodu, who particularly called out opposition parties for low campaign programmes, charged political parties to campaign with all their might and power ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 16.
He noted that opposition parties did not campaign effectively in the 2021 elections, hence, they lost in the exercise.
His words: “Opposition parties did not campaign, I want to urge you today to campaign with all your might, with all your power. If you accuse the electoral umpire without doing your best to win the election, you have accepted defeat before the contest.
“We don’t see you in the community to campaign, convince your electorate, it will be hard for anybody to cheat you on your votes.”
Osibodu added, “We are determined to conduct elections that are not just free and fair but are seen to be free and fair.
“But if you continue to say that only the ruling party has won in the past and therefore you will not contest or campaign, it will not change.
“You need to come out boldly without violence, do not be afraid of the security forces, bring your supporters out on election day, you will be protected and your vote will be protected, that’s my guarantee to you.”
Osibodu also advised parties to send their agents to polling units to sign and verify results.
He, therefore, said votes would be counted at the polling unit, saying election result, which will be announced immediately before being taken to the collation centre.
