All the contestants from the political parties participating in the gubernatorial election coming up November 16th in Ondo State have promised to checkmate their supporters from engaging in violence during the election.
The aspirants led by the sitting Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa made the commitment during the Ondo State Election Peace and Security Summit held at the International Conference Centre, known as the ‘Dome’ in Alagbaka area of Akure, the state capital.
The programme which was jointly powered by the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Commands under the auspices of KDI had in attendance critical stakeholders related to elections such as Security agencies, paramilitary organisations, religious bodies, INEC, NYSC, Human Rights institutions, Political parties as well as Youth organisations.
Addressing the participants, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmoud said that the electoral umpire was ready to conduct free, fair, crisis-free and credible election come November 16th, 2024.
The Chairman, who disclosed that the body has put in place topnotch security measures to forestall any breakdown of law and order before, during and after the election, hinted that sensitisation had also been carried out for transporters under the aegis of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as well as Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles, Tricycle, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) to provide essential services to INEC during the period.
INEC Chairman, who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola said that the security and welfare of adhoc staff engaged by the electoral body, especially the corps members remained sacrosanct and non negotiable.
Speaking shortly before the end of the programme, the NYSC State Coordinator, who is regarded as one of the principal stakeholders during the Summit, Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare disclosed that members of the service corps will not disappoint the citizens and residents of the Sunshine State.
The State Coordinator who used the event to call on all security agencies and paramilitary organisations, as well as other critical stakeholders to ensure that corps members receive best attention during the election asserted that her children would not compromise on the integrity of NYSC before, during and after the election.
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