The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Osun State INEC, Dr. Mutiu Agboke while receiving the Network of Youth-led NGOs in his Office on Monday said, “the youth must own the process because they are pivotal to the success of 2023 general elections” while speaking he also noted that there is no criminal minded individual that is not known to community members, hence, everyone must do all that it takes to stop anyone willing to disrupt the election process in their Polling Unit.
While responding to the concerns raised by Mr. Kenneth Oviawe a member of the network as regards the Money scarcity in the country, he noted that, though INEC staff and officials can not be isolated from the challenge but assured that it will not deter the smooth running of the process as they are in tandem with relevant stakeholders like CBN to deliver Free, Fair and Credible Election results.
Mr. Bolarinwa Olabode who led the Network raised the concern of the Osun electorates since the outcome of the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal as to the veracity of BVAS and the handlers of the same. Agboke made it clear that BVAS is the best device used by the INEC in recent times and its integrity is not in doubt, he, however, warned strongly that, no INEC staff or Ad-hoc staff should jeopardize their destiny on a platter of any form of gratification because anyone caught to have conspired with politicians to manipulate election results should be ready to go to jail.
The Osun REC said; “I have informed whoever cares to listen; don’t take INEC job if you have any plan that negates the ethics and conducts worthy of our job, no one will be spared if found wanting.” “We will make sure we train and if possible re-train the ad-hoc staff, but they must also comply with simple instructions, no one should be given ballot paper without being accredited by the BVAS. Anyone who allowed himself to be used such that the BVAS is bypassed will face the wrath of the law.”
Mr. Agboke thanked the Youth Network for doing well in the state as against other youths who are known for violence. He handed over the Electoral Guidelines document to Mr. Bolarinwa Olabode and plead that the network should help disseminate the information heard to relevant quarters.
Network of Youth-led NGOs comprises of; Refuge of Life Foundation, Benevolent Initiative for Development, Society for Life Changers, Crownrise Development Initiative, Walad Foundation for Growth and Development among others.
