Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged registered voters across the state to turn out on Saturday to perform their civic responsibility peacefully, within the confines of the law and the Electoral Act.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, also appealed to security agencies to be on red alert by averting threats to security, lives and property before, during and after the election.
Ajimobi admonished the media, including the online platforms, to guard against airing or publishing statements, as well as granting interviews capable of setting the state on fire at this period when he said everyone should don the garb of patriotism.
While urging citizens of the state to be law-abiding throughout the period of the election, the governor stated that all hands must be on deck to protect the country’s democracy, which he described as the best form of government.
Ajimobi said, “I thank the people of the state for maintaining peace and order so far, even though our electioneering witnessed little skirmishes here and there. I urge all eligible voters to go out tomorrow to freely exercise their franchise.
“I’m using this opportunity to appeal to you to conduct yourselves in an orderly and peaceful manner before, during and after the elections. You should be mindful of any act that contravenes the Electoral Act and the country’s Constitution.
“Nobody should take election as a do-or-die affair, because it will come and go. May I also appeal to the media, including the online, to be wary of publishing inciting statements or granting interviews capable of igniting violence or setting people against one another.
“Irrespective of our political affiliations, we should always remember that we are citizens of the country first and we are all brothers and sisters bound by destiny. Let us go about our lawful duties without fear of intimidations and with a sense of patriotism.”
The governor prayed that the country would continue to witness peace, progress and development, while also praying that citizens would be alive, hale and hearty, to savour the moments.
