The Oyo State director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Olukemi Afolayan was live on BCOS television program ‘Kutuhai’ to shed more light on the upcoming local government election as she thumped up for OYSIEC and other Stakeholders for their level of preparedness for the election.
Dr Afolayan discussed fully the level of preparation of the contesting political parties to all stakeholders and law enforcement agencies that will actively oversee a successful local government election devoid of violence, illegalities and rigging which will further place our valued electoral system in good light even within the international communities..
“All the party candidates have widely campaigned with their various manifestos and why there are the better candidates as the constitution demands across their different wards and LG” She emphasised.
She added interalia “The preparedness of the political parties contesting this coming election cannot be underestimated as it is also a testament of the credibility of the system that has paved way for more party participation in the elections, better than the previous local government election”
The NOA State Director while speaking, explained that the political parties also possess an undiluted believe in the integrity of OYSIEC that forms one of the reasons for the high turnout of political parties ahead of the election
“The political parties strongly believe in the integrity of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) that is why we are having more active party participation in the election especially when compared to the last election.
“The LG is now more competitive unlike we used to have in the past, when it is only a few candidates contesting in the election. However, this time, we now experience more parties actively involved in the race to the LG offices available.
Dr Afolayan also took the time to inform the listeners of the efforts of the NOA and other agency to oversee a smooth election with the agency’s many sensitization outreach on the importance of local government system of governance.
“We have sensitized the people on the importance of LG system, the numerous benefits of having a functional local government authority in place, like the community health care benefits and better road infrastructure and lots more within the respective LGs.
“We have also sensitized the people that PVC will be used for voting at our respective polling units, those without PVC are not eligible to vote.” The Director cautioned.
“The law enforcement agencies are also available, well trained to disarm and make arrest of erring offenders who may want to disrupt the voting system in various units and asked the electorates to also feel free to report anything going awry to them.”Dr Afolayan concluded.
