By Sam Popoola
The Deputy Governor of Ogun, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has commended the electorate for coming out en-masse to choose the right candidates in the Local Government Election in the state held on Saturday November 16, 2024.
NUJ Independent Online Chapel, in Ota reports that this is consequent upon declaration of the peaceful conduct of the council poll by two major chairmanship candidates of Ado-Odo/Ota, All Progressive Congress, APC, Alhaji Lawal Wasiu and People's Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Tunji Bankole.
The Deputy governor made the commendation after casting her vote at Ward 3, Poling Units 076, Salako-Osifeso Junction, GRA Ota, lauding the residents for coming out to choose the chairman and councilors of their choice.
"We are looking at other term of good governance at the grassroots.Let our voice speak to the leadership we desired."he said.
Hon. Bankole, PDP chairmanship candidate, while commending OGSIEC for the peaceful conduct of the council poll, also gave kudos to the electorate for being orderly, after casting his vote at Unit 04, Ward 2, Ota.
He said that he was glad there was no trouble at the poll as electorate cast their vote peacefully.
Speaking in the same vein, after casting his vote at Unit 039 Ward 2, Ota, the APC chairmanship candidate, Alhaji Wasiu Lawal, said the council poll was the most peaceful ever conducted in Ota.
“I am deeply impressed by the calm and orderly conduct of voters today. It boils down to the fact that people still trust and believe in the process and we should appreciate them for that.”
While lamenting the late arrival of electoral materials to various polling units, Hon. Wasiu Lawal scored the electoral process high, adding that electorate should do more than just participate in electoral processes.
“The delayed commencement at some polling units did not deter our people from making this election a peaceful and historic one. This shows our collective maturity and belief in the democratic process.
"Democracy doesn’t stop at voting, It’s about continuous involvement in governance, holding leaders accountable, and contributing to policies that impact our daily lives. I urge everyone to stay engaged and proactive as we work together for the betterment of our community.”
Hon. Lawal’s declaration of peaceful elections was confirmed by the Akogun of Oruba, Ota, HRH Oba Wadud Ajani Deinde, who stood in for Olota of Ota, HRM Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Obalanlege-Ekun II who is currently away on a traditional assignment.
He said, “Ota is known for conducting peaceful elections, so it is no surprise that this year’s has also turned out the same way. The only difference between this election and others is the delay in bringing in election materials, which pushed the time of the election from the earlier slated morning to afternoon.”
He enjoined citizens to take advantage of the LGA’s newly accorded autonomy and get more involved in the governance of their states and regions. He discouraged the popular belief that election results are usually manipulated.
He said, “Voters should learn to cast their votes and stay till it is counted and recorded, being present during the counting and logging will clear every doubt about the declared results.”
He further advised candidates who will eventually emerge as winners after the elections to keep it at the back of their minds that it is a fleeting position that they’ll leave one day, hence the need for them to make the best of it by doing that which they are elected.
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