The Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has advocated the deployment of career officers who have a smattering of knowledge and experience in the conduct of elections to the electoral umpires, saying this will improve the outcomes of elections in the country.
Aare Olagunju made the call on Tuesday during the send-forth organized in honour of the leadership of the OYSIEC by the management team of the commission.
The event held at the OYSIEC’s headquarters in Ibadan, had in attendance Commission Members; Chief Kunmi Agboola, Mr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju, Hon. Remi Ayoade, Mr. Sunday Falana, Dr. Afees Adeniyi and Alhaja Ganiyat Saka.
Others were the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Abisola Ogunmola and the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Olatunji Kikelomo , Director of Maintenance, Governor’s Office, Mr. Kehinde Ayodeji, among others .
Speaking further, Olagunju described the electoral body as a special institution that requires professionalism, special training, and specialization to achieve its mandates continually.
He noted that the need to retain OYSIEC staffers with the commission for subsequent elections cannot be overemphasized.
Appreciating Governor Seyi Makinde for the privilege given to him and his team to contribute their quota to the development of Oyo State, the OYSIEC Chairman admonished the staffers of the commission not to relent in their pursuit of greatness in life.
His words” We thank God for his grace enjoyed for five years we have been on board , we conducted two successful local Government Council Elections Consecutively without any problem”
” The commitment of the governor Seyi Makinde to the development of the state is commendable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this process.”
“Conducting credible election demands the services of specialized personnel.There is a need for specialisation of careers for staffs in OYSIEC, frequent transfer or deployment of OYSIEC staffers to another ministry will be a big loss to the commission.
“A staff of OYSIEC has special training and expertise on election management which is waisted if transferred to another MDA”.
In their separate remarks, the commission members lauded Governor Makinde for finding them worthy to serve on the commission.
They urged staffers of the commission not to deviate on the path of good conduct and commitment to duties and also replicate same to those who will succeed the outgoing team to get the desired results.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, OYSIEC, Mrs. Abisola Ogunmola, attributed the success recorded by the commission to the mutual working relationship between staffers of the commission and its leadership.
She applauded the leadership style of the OYSIEC chairman and the commission members, adding that “your leadership and cooperation have really assisted me with the little achievements I have made during my stay here. You and the commission members, we appreciate your dedication and all that you have done. We wish you success in future endeavors. Thank you, and God bless you”.
The event featured the presentation of gifts, special prayers, and the sharing of lofty memories, among others.
Recall that the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde inaugurated the outgoing team on the 3rd of September 2020 at the Government House , Agodi, Ibadan.
The commission, under the leadership of Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, conducted two local government council elections consecutively, which recorded a large turnout of voters across the state .
