The Oyo State Police Command on Monday showed its commitment towards ensuring free and fair local government elections in the state.
The Command, in its efforts to secure hitch-free before, during and after the poll, has disclosed its partnership with the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), engaged the stakeholders involved, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
The development according to a press release that was made available to pressmen in Ibadan, the State capital, stated that the Command, in conjunction with the Management of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), today Monday 10th May 2021, played host to principal political actors and critical stakeholders in the state in readiness for the 22nd May 2021 Local Government Elections.
The collaboration, according to a copy of the release that was issued and signed by the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Adewale Osifeso, made available to newsmen was to sensitize and legally bind principal actors, especially aspirants and their party supporters towards the conduct of a hitch-free voting exercise.
The statement maintained further that consequent upon this, the Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN, commended the healthy relationships between the Political parties and acknowledged the maximum level of cooperation enjoyed by the agency from the law enforcement fold championed by the Police.
He further assured all stakeholders of a free and fair election while enjoining them not to unnecessarily heat up the polity before, during and after the elections.
Furthermore, the platform created a forum for gainful interaction, sharing of ideas and useful suggestions amongst; law enforcement agencies, the state electoral agency and political stakeholders present.
The CP reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensure a free and fair election void of breaches and violations. She warned all parties involved to shun violence as security operatives have been instructed to apprehend any erring individual, groups or groups of individuals according to the dictates of all relevant laws in the State and indeed the Federation.
The gathering had in attendance; The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Ngozi Onadeko, Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) representative, Oyo State, Akinade Kabir Opeyemi and representatives from all other sister agencies.
CP Onadeko, through the statement, however, appealed to members of the public not to relent in providing timely and credible information that would help the process before, during and after the elections.
