Following the successful completion of the electoral process in the just concluded Ekiti gubernatorial election, we are delighted that a very transparent and credible process that allowed for the will of the people was instituted by INEC.
We congratulate INEC under the working leadership of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood for the conduct of a free and fair election and also felicitate with the people of Ekiti state as they saw their will prevail through the majority that carried the day.
The interviews we conducted with some electorates and election observers confirmed that the atmosphere of the Saturday 14th Ekiti gubernatorial elections were generally peaceful except in few areas where ballot snatching were recorded. The early deployment of logistics was a top priority as election materials arrived very early and there came a good turnout of voters in spite of the fear which was earlier instigated by politicians.Although our agents confirmed that there was no evidence of rigging, but electorates were induced with money.
What INEC has done is to be open, unbiased, cautious and proactive, thus, the intervention of top officials of INEC in very few places were card readers messed up; the cancellation of areas where ballot boxes were snatched and a quick collation of votes and announcement of the result. So far so good, we can say that the election result that produced Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the Governor Elect of Ekiti state is a true reflection of the peoples will. Therefore, anyone or group that is not satisfied with the result of the election can approach the court to seek redress.
Recall, that several persons and groups have raised issues that boiled down to the lack of efficiency and question of suspicion and possible connivance between INEC and other entities. Today, the Commission has given us a reason to believe in its efficacy and commitment to the principle of ‘one man one vote’. INEC did it in Ondo state, Edo state, Anambra state and now Ekiti state.
We pass a vote of confidence on INEC and also plead with Nigerians from all works of life to key into the vision of an unbiased umpire by supporting all the agenda of INEC towards the forthcoming Osun gubernatorial election a fruitful 2019 General Elections.
– Osagbemi Anthony
National Coordinator, CCDG Nigeria.
