The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has, on Tuesday, met with the lawmakers of the Oyo state House of Assembly to update them on the 2024 local government election.
This is coming following an invitation by the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours to the commission.
Speaking with the House Committee, Chairman of the commission, Aare Isiaka Olagunju said it is necessary to conduct election due to the fact that the tenure of the chairmen and councillors is gradually coming to end.
He said the constitution empowers the commission to reel out notification 360 days before the election day.
He added that the commission does not have the power to influence or manipulate the outcome of the local government elections in the state adding that the commission will not in any way interfere with or manipulate the outcome of the election.
He said that the commission would give all the political parties a level playing ground prior to, during and after the election.
His word: “I don’t have the power to influence or interfere in the election. The last election that we conducted, some political parties won. I cannot interfere in the local government election.
“We appeal to political parties to come out and participate and vote. Everybody will be given an opportunity to participate, we will not interfere.
“All political parties should conduct their primaries and submit names of their candidates in August this year, so that we can have the election on Saturday, 27th April 2024. We want political parties to abide by the rules.”
While speaking, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, said that the lawmakers invited the commission to brief the house on its recently released guidelines.
He added that lawmakers will give necessary support to the commission to deliver its mandate. He sought the cooperation of relevant stakeholders towards the success of the forthcoming election.
His words: “We have the power to investigate, summon and ask questions, that is why we invited them. We invited them to deliberate on the recently released guidelines by the commission.
“The main reason is to meet them and educate the public on the forthcoming election. We want to give them the necessary support.”
Present at the meeting were, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, Hon. Saminu Gbadamosi and Hon Dele Adeola.
Others are Aare Isaaq Olagunju, OYSIEC Chairman, Chief Kunmi Agboola, OYSIEC Commissioner, Mr Adeniyi Babatunde, OYSIEC Commissioner, Mr Olanrewaju Emmanuel, Retired PS and others.
