By Ado Oyeyemi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on political parties, candidates and voters in Ondo State to shun violence, vote-buying and other acts capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the call on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s offices in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, members of the National Youth Service Corps, transport unions and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
Agboke, who also paid visits to the traditional rulers of Iju and Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area, said the engagement was aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders worked together to achieve free, fair and credible elections.
He described credible elections as a collective responsibility, noting that security agencies, traditional rulers and transport unions had important roles to play in protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.
The REC assured stakeholders that INEC would remain neutral and transparent throughout the electoral process, warning against partisan conduct, vote-buying, intimidation and other practices that could compromise the 2027 elections.
Agboke said, “This advocacy is for the commission and our major stakeholders to be on the same page because the expectation is to let votes count.
“The recent elections conducted by INEC are enough proof to show that people’s votes determine the direction of who wins.
“Meanwhile, we don’t want them to engage in violence. Nobody should allow him or herself or wards to be used for violence and desist from engaging in vote-buying.
“It is only votes lawfully cast and duly counted that would determine winners.”
The REC further assured that INEC officials had been trained to comply strictly with the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines, adding that its offices remained open to stakeholders seeking clarification to prevent misinformation.
Agboke said preparations for the 2027 general elections had commenced in earnest, adding that INEC would build on the experience recorded during recent bye-elections in the state to deliver an inclusive process that reflects the wishes of the electorate.
The traditional rulers, Oba Idowu Faborode, the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, and Oba Amos Farukanmi, the Okiti of Iju, as well as religious leaders, pledged to sensitise their subjects and congregations against electoral violence.
Also, the Akure South Local Government Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Gbenga Jemiloye, commended INEC for organising the meeting, saying it demonstrated the commission’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
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Security agencies and transport unions also assured the commission of their readiness to support the peaceful conduct of the elections, including adequate deployment and the timely movement of electoral personnel and materials.
