The Osun Mastermind, has called on the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, the Executive Director of the Osun Masterminds made this call on Thursday at its October edition of State of the State address in Osogbo, the State capital, where it discussed several issues as they affect the state.
“While we understand the above and the implications it has to the delivery of good governance to people at the grassroots, we also believe very strongly that the process that will facilitate the election of men and women into this critical arm of government, must be near-perfect, if perfection is completely impossible. It must be right in the eyes of the law and must be legally fair to all concerned.
“It is in the light of this that we have closely monitored the legal brickbats between the State Independent Electoral Commission and the Peoples Democratic Party, over the latter’s efforts to ensure the Local Government election does not hold, owing to their already expressed lack of confidence in OSSIEC’s willingness to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
“While we understand that there has been no Court judgment stopping OSSIEC from conducting the Local Government election, we still want to urge the Commission to ensure that its activities and plans for the process of election are not unfair to any of the parties concerned. All legal requirements for the election must be followed to the letters and all parties carried along in the rundown to the said election.
“The electoral umpire must also ensure that it does not posture as being a mere tool in the hands of any political party, but an unbiased umpire providing a level playing ground for all political parties to participate.”
Dr. Oyedokun-Alli also urged OSSIEC be right in the eyes of the law and be unbiased to any of the political parties when carrying out the activities of the Local Government Election.
He also advised OSSIEC not be a tools in the hands of any political party “We understand the above and the implications it has, when delivery of good governance to people at the grassroots, we also believe very strongly that the process that will facilitate the election of men and women into this critical arm of government, must be near-perfect, if perfection is completely impossible” he said.
Speaking on the ongoing brickbat between Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the camp of the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun Masterminds asked the PDP to accord respect to the office of the governor that it aimed at holding, stating that the Oyetola-led government still has some weeks and should be allowed to perform its duties.
“While we do understand the PDP’s eagerness to take the reins of governance, we are compelled to sound a quick note of caution to the camp of the Governor-elect, especially as concerns the approach to engagements with the incumbent government.
“It must be stated that until the 27th day of November, 2022, the mandate handed to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola remains valid and he in turn remains answerable to the people that he swore to govern. He must therefore be allowed to perform his duties till the last day in office, without needless blackmail, distractions and accusations. He must work in that office until the last day of his mandate and must be so respected as Governor until that date.
“We believe that regard begets regard. The incoming political camp must understand that they must accord the incumbent due regards, as they desire to also be accorded when they get into office.”
Dr. Oyedokun-Alli advised the incumbent to work closely with the incoming Governor’s camp, to ensure smooth transition that will guarantee continuity of critical government policies and ensure the continued prosperity of the State’s people” he concluded.
