Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) has warned All Progress Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties contesting in the forthcoming December 12 local government election to shun thuggery, violence and embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the poll.
The Chairman of the commission, Justice Cornelius Akintayo (rtd) made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Sanni Abacha Hall, Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, where representatives of political parties, security agencies, religious organisations, transport operators and other critical stakeholders gathered to discuss preparations for a peaceful, free and credible election.
Akintayo described the meeting as an important platform for bringing together stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop practical strategies for ensuring an electoral process that would be free from rigging, violence and corruption, and acceptable to all participants.
He explained that the meeting was initially scheduled for the previous day but was moved to accommodate the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.
According to him, the commission considered it inappropriate to hold the stakeholders’ meeting at a time when several individuals expected to participate were engaged in activities surrounding the President’s visit.
He acknowledged that the change of date might have inconvenienced some participants but expressed appreciation to those who were able to attend.
The EKSIEC chairman said the December 12 election became necessary following the completion of the three-year tenure of the current local government chairmen and councillors, who assumed office in 2023.
He explained that the commission had made considerable progress in its preparations, having earlier released its election timetable and guidelines, distributed nomination forms, screened candidates submitted by political parties and published the names of qualified and disqualified candidates.
The chairman disclosed that ten political parties obtained nomination forms for the election, adding that the commission had also provided an opportunity for candidates who were disqualified to approach it with complaints for necessary consideration and resolution.
He noted that the electoral process had moved into the campaign stage, urging political parties and their candidates to focus on presenting their programmes and development plans to the electorate rather than engaging in unnecessary confrontations.
He stressed that EKSIEC remained neutral and committed to providing a level playing field for all participating political parties, adding that the responsibility of the commission was to conduct a credible election and not to campaign for any particular party.
According to him, peaceful elections begin with peaceful campaigns, warning that hostility, bitterness and inflammatory statements could create tension and lead to violence and destruction of lives and property.
Akintayo further disclosed that the commission had embarked on sensitisation activities across the local government areas, including engagements with council chairmen, councillors and other stakeholders, as well as radio programmes to educate residents about the electoral process.
He said the stakeholders’ meeting was also designed to establish concrete security arrangements covering every stage of the election, from the distribution of electoral materials and voting at polling units to the collation and announcement of results.
The EKSIEC boss particularly emphasised the importance of local government administration, describing it as the foundation of democratic governance because of its direct connection with the grassroots.
He noted that councillors and local government chairmen were the closest elected representatives to the people and were better positioned to address challenges affecting their immediate communities.
He explained that residents could easily reach their councillors and local government chairmen to report concerns within their neighbourhoods, unlike federal representatives who might not always be physically available.
He therefore urged residents to recognise the importance of grassroots governance and participate actively in the December 12 election.
The Chairman also commended stakeholders who attended the meeting after hearing its announcement on radio, despite not receiving formal invitation letters, describing their participation as a demonstration of their commitment to democratic development.
Speaking at the meeting, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ekiti State Police Command, ACP Matthew Sunday, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, assured residents and stakeholders of adequate security before, during and after the December 12 election.
ACP Sunday said the command was committed to ensuring a peaceful electoral process through continuous engagement with stakeholders and adequate security preparations.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had held several meetings with stakeholders, including local government officials and other relevant groups, to strengthen collaboration and address possible security concerns ahead of the election.
According to him, a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police focused on strategies for maintaining peace and security during the forthcoming election.
He commended the stakeholders for their cooperation, assuring them that the police would do everything within their capacity to ensure a peaceful exercise.
The police chief urged residents and political stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities appropriately, warning that failure to abide by established rules and responsibilities could create unnecessary security challenges.
He further noted that Ekiti State had maintained a commendable record in terms of peace and security, adding that the state had recently been recognised among the most peaceful police commands in the country.
ACP Sunday expressed confidence that with the cooperation of political parties, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders and residents, the December 12 election would be conducted peacefully.
Both speakers called for collective responsibility and sustained cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming local government election would be credible, peaceful and acceptable to all participants.
