Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has called on eligible voters in the state to come out this Saturday to perform their civic responsibility in the Local Government Parliamentary Election, without let or hindrances.
This was just as the state government‎ declared Thursday and Friday January 25 and 26, 2018 as public holiday to enable Osun residents prepare and participate in the election scheduled to hold on Saturday January 27, 2018.‎
The Governor made this disclosure in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, and‎ made available to journalists in Osogbo
Aregbesola stated that the election must reflect the people’s determination and hope to elect good, credible and trustworthy leaders and representatives with the mandate to steer the affairs at the grassroots.
He urged residents to conduct themselves in an orderly and lawful manner that will project the best of the Omoluabi persona at the polls.
According to the statement, “Against all odds, this election would be conducted into 389 wards in the State of Osun. I am therefore calling on all eligible voters in the state to enthusiastically come out to perform their civic duties without let or hindrance in electing credible and trustworthy representatives.
“The local government system is a critical level of administration that brings the government closest to the people. The election holding on Saturday this week therefore is a springboard for advancing the cause of broad-based, all-inclusive governance at the grassroots that will politically empower the people and provide the platform for accelerated development.
“So, as we go to the polls on Saturday, residents are charged to shun politicians with the penchant for violence and brigandage and they (voters) must conduct themselves in an orderly and lawful manner and project the best of the Omoluabi persona at the polls.
“We should all say ‘Never again’ to those who have corrupted the political system and plundered the treasury of the nation for their own selfish interest.
“Our focus should be on entrenching democracy at its best known tradition through the election of those who have well represented the people in the past and have discharged themselves creditably and honourably.
“This is the first of its kind in the federation and a landmark feat, which all of us must be proud of and be prepared to guide and preserve.
“The state government has made strident efforts since 2013 to hold this election, but the opposition has thrown all kinds of legal stumbling blocks on the way.
“That it is holding this time around is a watershed achievement and an indelible legacy the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will leave behind “.
The Governor also admonished eligible residents and citizens to be orderly, law abiding and conduct themselves peacefully, for the exercise to be successful, assuring the preparedness of the state electoral commission to conduct a hitch-free, credible, free, fair and transparent election that all will be proud of.
He held that law enforcement agencies are also ready and put on alert to protect lives and property and prevent breach of the peace and disruption of the election.‎
Aregbesola said, “The participating political parties and their candidates are expected to abide by the rules and guidelines instituted by the electoral umpire.
“It is hoped that the parliamentary system of government which the election will usher in will bring greater political representation and development in all areas of life to our local governments. Let the winners be magnanimous in victory and let the losers be gallant in defeat, in the true spirit of sportsmanship”, ‎
He however wished all a happy holiday and a successful and peaceful election.
Packaged by Rahman Salami
