Kazeem Badmus
THE Coalition of Civil Society Election Observers for the July 16 governorship election in the State of Osun has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives for the peaceful conduct of the election.
This is just as the Managing Director of Azkol Oil International, Alh. Azeez Kolade, lauded INEC over what he described as innovation that led to a free and fair governorship election in the state.
Kolade, who is the Aare Musulumi of Ilobuland, opined that with the advent of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation system, Nigeria has started to get it right as her democratic journey continues.
The oil magnate encouraged INEC to go further to introduce other devices that can completely eliminate all forms of electoral malpractices, saying that will deepen democracy in Nigeria.
He congratulated INEC and people of the State of Osun in general for allowing their votes to count by keying into the improvements introduced by INEC for eliminating some of electoral malpractices.
Kolade also congratulated the Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory and urged him to be magnanimous in victory.
In a communique issued at the end of the election, the Coalition of INEC Accredited Civil Society Domestic Observer Groups also commended INEC for doing ‘everything to ensure a credible process in the state.’
The group also lauded security operatives for their professional conduct during the election, adding that there was no record of intimidation or harassment by the security agents.
According to the group in the communique signed by its National Coordinator and Secretary, Comrade Fidelis Nweke and Comrade Peter Nwokolo respectively, INEC performed satisfactorily on the strict compliance on the usage of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS), saying the machine was effective during the election.
The group however noted that some political parties tried to disrupt the process and thwart the efforts of the electoral management body.
The communique reads: “We note with satisfaction that INEC’s uncompromising position on the strict compliance on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) which was considerably effective during the election as well as actionable intervention by the electoral management body in areas of conflict and other violations, to a very large extent, defined the entire exercise and consolidated INEC’s position as a truly unbiased electoral umpire, committed to advancing the democratisation process in the country.
“The Various security agencies, especially men of the Nigeria Police Force and the Army are hereby applauded for their impressive professional conduct during the election. There was no record of security intimidation and harassment due to their overzealousness and unnecessary interference.
“The exercise met International standard for credible democratic election. The result should therefore be accepted by all as a true reflection of the will of the people of Osun State.”
