13th January, 2022
Adejoke Adeleye /Abeokuta
The Ogun chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be upright and fair to all political parties during and after 2023 election.
Alh. Sikirulai Ogundele, Ogun Chairman of PDP gave the charge while receiving members of INEC’s Election and Party Monitoring Department at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Ogundele charged the electoral commission to always ensure there is credibility and fairness and to maintain its image as an incorruptible electoral umpire in its activities.
He added that while it is generally opined that the electoral body works to the dictate of the government in power, INEC should remain upright and allow the will of Nigerian voters to count.
He commended INEC for the visit and monitoring of political parties in the state.
“The political parties cannot exist without the electoral umpire. INEC Ogun State has remained an incorruptible umpire. As a political party, we want INEC that is a reliable organization.
“Let me use this opportunity to send a message to all INEC Commissioners in the 36 States of the federation to urge them to allow the will of Nigerian voters to count. It is generally opined that he who pays a piper, dictates the tune, I know you work for the party in power, but work on your image. I want to use this opportunity to charge you to be upright for the sake of Nigerians. The joy of election is for people to vote people in and out.”
Speaking earlier, the leader of the INEC delegation Mr. Abidakun Gabriel said the purpose of the visit was to assess the structures, procedures, documents, and list of officers of 17 registered political parties in the state.
“Our assignment is very important. It is to help us to be on the same page. Political parties are principal stakeholders, and one does not take your position for granted.
“Our visit here today is to further verify on the information you gave us on the facilities and logistics if they are still intact.
“The basic reason is to know where the party office is located. We have had instances where the party gave us an office address but on getting there, we meet different structures entirely.
“We also need to know, the list of officers ratified by the congress of the party. It is for us to confirm if the officers of the party are still the same or there have been changes. This will allow us to be on the same page.”