Adebayo Adenrele
In less than 10 days to the Gubernatorial poll in Ekiti state, the state’s chapter of National Orientation Agency (NOA) has intensified efforts to promote peaceful participation in the electoral exercise, urging citizens to shun voter apathy, vote trading and all forms of electoral violence.
This call was made on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during a one-day sensitisation programme on voter’s education ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the agency, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including political parties, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, to work together in ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Isa-Onilu, represented by the Southwest Zonal Director of the agency, Kehinde Ogunkuade said the agency was committed to educating citizens on their democratic rights and responsibilities, stressing that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in governance through the electoral process.
He urged political actors to accept the outcome of the election in good faith, noting that peaceful conduct before, during and after the poll would strengthen democratic institutions and preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
According to him, political parties and their supporters must avoid actions capable of causing unrest, adding that elections should not be viewed as a do-or-die affair.
“If you lose an election, accept it honourably. Democracy is about competition and respect for the will of the people. Violence and disorder only undermine the democratic process and the development of society,” he said.
Earlier, the Ekiti State Director of the NOA, Oluwakemi Akomolede said the voter education programme was initiated by the DG to ensure that citizens are adequately informed, prepared and motivated to exercise their civic responsibilities.
Akomolede described voting as a fundamental civic duty and urged eligible voters to come out en masse to participate in the election.The state director also warned against vote buying and vote selling, describing the practice as a threat to good governance.
“A vote is not just a piece of paper; it is your voice, your power and your right to choose leaders who will shape the future of our state and country. We must all rise above voter apathy and participate actively in the electoral process.
“There is always someone willing to buy and someone willing to sell. That is why we now refer to it as vote trading. We must reject this practice if we truly desire a better future for Ekiti State”. She added
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Olawumi Famuyiwa, expressed concern over the level of voter apathy in the state.
She noted that despite Ekiti’s population running into millions, the number of registered voters remained significantly lower than expected, stressing the need for increased voter mobilisation and civic education.
Famuyiwa said voter participation is critical to strengthening democracy and ensuring that citizens have a voice in governance.
She urged residents to perform their civic responsibilities diligently and contribute to maintaining a peaceful environment throughout the electoral process.
A representative of Ekiti State Correctional Centre, Gabriel Aderibigbe urged parents to warn their wards against violence, saying no mercy would be dispensed upon anyone found guilty of electoral violence.
The Ekiti Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful election.
Falade, represented by SP Adetayo Owolabi said security agencies would remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting lives and property, electoral officials, election materials and voters throughout the electoral period.
He warned against acts capable of disrupting the electoral process, including voter intimidation, violence, hate speech and the dissemination of fake election results on social media.
