2023 OSHA Election: Oyetola calls on INEC officials to avoid over-voting

… decries low voters’ turnout, sponsored violent attacks in some parts of Osun

THE immediate past Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has enjoined officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to buckle-up and prevent anything capable of leading to over-voting in any polling unit of the State.

Oyetola who commended the electoral umpire for its diligence, said it was incumbent on the Commission to resist any temptation capable of compromising and marring the standard of the electoral process in the ongoing legislative election in the State.

This is even as Oyetola decried voters’ apathy and pocket of violence that characterised the election in parts of the State, urging residents to resist the PDP’s antics and troop out en masse to exercise their civic responsibilities.

The former Governor stated these on Saturday while fielding questions from journalists shortly after he and his wife cast their vote, at Unit 10, Ward 1, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of the State.

Oyetola who arrived his polling unit alongside his wife around 10:30am, expressed serious concerns on the serial attacks being launched on voters particularly loyalists of his party – the All Progressives Congress, APC in some parts of the State.

He listed some Local Government Areas where the challenges are being experienced to include Osogbo, Olorunda, Ilesa-West, Ilesa-East, Atakunmosa West and Atakunmosa East as well as Councils in Ife axis. He, therefore, called on security agencies and other concerned authorities to swing into action and address the menace.

He wondered how miscreants and political hoodlums would be freely attacking the electorate on the day-of-election without check, saying such devilish act must be curtailed before it snowballs into something else as such could prevent voters from coming out to vote.

Oyetola who attributed the palpable voter’s apathy that characterised the House of Assembly election to incessant violent attacks, intimidation and extra judicial killings and maiming of innocent residents in the last three months, said it had become imperative for the security agencies to immediately rise to the occasion and bring the perpetrators to book.

“Well, the exercise appears to be going on well. The turnout has not been particularly impressive alongside with voter’s apathy, as we speak, compare with what obtained three weeks ago.

“The turnout is not impressive at all. I heard of report of pocket of violence in some parts of the state. I heard of Osogbo, Ife, Ilesa, Atakunmosa East and Atakunmosa West. I learnt that PDP thugs are molesting voters particularly members of our party.

“Yes, I must commend the security agencies for rising up to the occasion but that is not enough, if we don’t guarantee the security, people will not want to go out and vote, and this will hinder the turnout. As you can see, the present turnout cannot be compared with what we had the last time.

“As I commend the security for doing a good job, so also, the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Looking at what we have experienced here, it shows that they are doing very well. I can testify to this polling unit where I voted.

“I pray and I hope that we will not have cause to experience over-voting in any polling unit. It is a common knowledge that over voting takes place only when there’s a compromise in one way or the other.

“I want to enjoin INEC officials to ensure proper accreditation. If anybody doesn’t go through it, he or she shouldn’t be allowed to vote. We are looking forward to a very peaceful exercise. Like I said, the turnout is not too impressive”, he added.