Ogun Top Politician, Ogbeni Banjo Congratulates Akereredolu, INEC

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Former National Conscience Party, NCP gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo has congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on his victory as the Ondo State Governor-elect in the just concluded election in the state.

In a press statement made available to P.M.EXPRESS, Ogbeni Banjo congratulates the governor-elect for a deserved victory and stunning ascendancy to throne which stemmed from his tireless commitment to serving the Nigerian people in the sunshine state.

He stated, “The voters in Ondo State have chosen Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN to preside over their destiny for the next four years.  For the peoples’ determination to reward someone who demonstrated tenacity and indefatigability in applying for the highest political position in the State, and for their emulative comportment, I express a hearty congratulation to the voters in Ondo State.

“This is a crowning achievement of an exceptional campaign whose brilliance and high tone demonstrated the vitality of Nigerian democracy.  In choosing you, voters have chosen the path of change, openness and optimism.  At a time when Nigeria is in torment and doubt, the voters in Ondo, true to the values that have always been at the very core of their identity, strongly expressed their faith in progress and in the future.

Ogbeni Banjo noted that the people of Ondo State frowned at continued sufferings and obstinately rebuffed the outgoing governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko who refused to pay the workers’ salaries and stupidly offered to pay them only if they voted for his anointed candidate.

He advised the governor-elect to consolidate the bridges and prove to be beacon of hope.

“No State project is that of personal estate of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. Sensible uncompleted projects must be completed for the people. The service is about the people. He must turn his campaign promises to institutional policy and must embark in town meetings to encourage people to participate in democracy.

“In a situation where 35 per cent of the registered voters partook in the voting process, it mirrored disenfranchisement which must be addressed by the political class. The conductor of the election and all the returning officers ably led by Professor Ganiyu Ambali are highly commended. The professional and exemplary manner in which Professor Ambali conducted himself and the collation of election results is appreciated.

Ogbeni Banjo also give a thumb up to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done, especially electoral officers who survived the capsized boat in Ese Odo local government.

He said INEC should continue to evaluate their performances with a view to improving, while praising the Commission for listening to the voice of reasons by discontinuing the practice of accreditation first, and then come back to vote which he has been condemning.

“The discontinuation of this practice yielded fruit in this election as 99.3 per cent of accredited voters actually voted.  Unlike the last election in Ondo where 645,597 were accredited and 624,659 actually voted leaving 20,938 voters who did not go back to vote.  INEC improvement here is extolled.  However, INEC failed woefully to register more people thereby disenfranchised those who turned 18 years old since the last election four years ago. The registered voters in 2012 were 1.64 million and it was the same in 2016.

“While INEC has somehow improved, our legislators must review the electoral laws that discourage the carrying of gun in the polling booth. The issue of voting by the Diaspora must be left in abeyance and the legislators should not complicate matters for Nigerians when our votes at home are still being snatched.  A situation where police will be held and the officials at the polling booth would have to be begging criminals for the life of our Security men and women must be discouraged by law.  This is disgraceful in the eyes of the world.