Opening remarks by the Ondo State Supervising National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, at the Ondo State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the INEC state office, Akure, Thursday, 7th November, 2024.
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| Ondo State Governorship Election 2024 Stakeholders’ Meeting in Akure |
PROTOCOLS:
I am honoured to welcome you all to this critical stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in preparation for the November 16th 2024, Ondo State Governorship Election.
Today, we are gathered here for an important democratic exercise meant to deliberate, appeal and encourage all stakeholders including from political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, security agencies and the media to work collaboratively together in order to achieve a successful exercise in this coming election.
The people of Ondo State, like all citizens, deserve an election that reflects their will, free from undue influence, violence, and malpractices. The stakes are high, as this election will not only determine the leadership of this vibrant state but also serve as a compass of our collective ability to conduct peaceful, free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive elections.
INEC, under the leadership of the Hon. Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been working tirelessly to prepare for this election, making great efforts in improving our logistics, training of personnel, voter education, and the deployment of updated technology to enhance the credibility and transparency of the process. We are committed to leveraging technology to prevent manipulation, to ease the process for voters, and to deliver results with accuracy and speed. This includes the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and our INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which will enable real-time and transparent access to results as they come in.
The Commission calls on political parties and their candidates to conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and responsibility, bearing in mind that their actions will have a profound impact on public perception and the eventual outcome of the election. Elections are not a zero-sum game, and democracy flourishes best in an atmosphere where candidates compete based on ideas, vision, and respect for the electorate. Let us remember that the process must be as legitimate as the result; hence, inflammatory rhetoric, voter intimidation, or attempts to manipulate the process will not be tolerated by the Commission.
The Security Agencies under the umbrella of Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), have been working closely with INEC to develop a comprehensive election security plan for Ondo State. We recognize that election security is paramount to ensuring that voters can participate without fear. The presence of security officials will be solely to maintain peace and protect all individuals involved in the process. I urge all security personnel to be alert impartial and professional, so as to prevent any disruption that could jeopardize the credibility of the election.
Similarly, I would very humbly like to appreciate our Religious and Traditional Rulers and fathers, for your continuous and unwavering support towards the Advocacy for Peace and Unity: Through your influence and respect within communities, you have consistently promoted messages of peace, tolerance, and unity before, during, and after elections. This indeed discourages youth and community members from engaging in electoral violence, and in actions that could lead to conflict. We appreciate your powerful voices in discouraging political thuggery and ensuring that people do not engage in or support violence for any candidate or party.
To our partners in the media, your role in this process cannot be overemphasized. As conveyors of information, we depend on your professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality to inform the electorate and to contribute positively to the process.
We urge you to provide balanced coverage, avoid sensationalism, and educate the public on their rights and responsibilities in this election.
Civil society organizations, too, have been indispensable partners in our efforts to ensure credible elections. From voter education to election observation, your contributions help enhance transparency and ensure that any lapses are identified and addressed swiftly. Your independence and vigilance are invaluable to this process.
In conclusion, this election is a collective endeavour. The future of Ondo State and the credibility of our electoral process rest in our hands. The eyes of the nation will be on Ondo State come November 16. Let us make this election a positive example of what is possible when we come together with a shared commitment to democracy. By working collaboratively, we can ensure a peaceful, credible, and inclusive election that all Nigerians can be proud of.
On this note, I will like to sincerely thank and appreciate every participant here present for sparing time to attend this very important meeting. Once again, I welcome you all to the Ondo State gubernatorial election stakeholders meeting. Wishing you all very fruitful and productive deliberations
Prof. Kunle Ajayi, PhD
Supervising Nat’l Commissioner (Ondo State)
OPENING REMARKS BY THE ONDO STATE SUPERVISING NATIONAL COMMISSIONER, PROF. KUNLE AJAYI, AT THE ONDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING HELD AT THE INEC STATE OFFICE, AKURE, THURSDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER, 2024.
PROTOCOLS:
I am honoured to welcome you all to this critical… pic.twitter.com/2NtRJJZGqc— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) November 7, 2024
