The Oyo state chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on Saturday honoured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke for conducting free, fair and credible elections in the state.
In honouring the REC, Oyo NAWOJ presented him with Certificate of Commendation and a Plaque.
Speaking at the presentation, the state NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola who led other executive members to the commissions Agodi office declared that the honour was as a result of the REC and the commission’s ability in meeting the demands placed before him during an earlier visit by NAWOJ about three weeks before the election.
Comrade Jadesola Ajibola said, “we were here about three weeks before the election and made some demands.”
“We demanded that the election should be free, fair, credible and transparent, we got that. We demanded that all the parties should be given a level playing ground, we got that. We also demanded that all the stakeholders be carried along in all the commission’s efforts at conducting the election. We got that too.” she said.
Comrade Ajibola added, “the REC, with the support of the management team were never tired of giving information anytime we knock on their doors. We followed their actions and monitored all their efforts from the pre-election to the announcement of the result and we saw the Transparency and that the people’s votes counted and that is why we agreed that we should commend the Commission and the REC in Oyo state.”
Receiving the letter of commendation and a plaque, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mutiu Agboke declared that he was shocked that all the efforts of the commission were been appreciated and recognised by journalists, adding, although, he didn’t do anything spectacular other than aligning with the electoral guidelines as stipulated by the National Headquarters, he feels proud that the members of the management team in the state also shared his passion of doing what is expected of them.
“We have a guideline and there are provisions for everything and anything we have to do as a commission. All we did was just to follow them to the letter. I was shocked at the kind of response we have been getting since after the election because we have been largely commended and we are proud of it.” he said.
Barrister Agboke added “Although the result is there for all to see, I can assure you that no member of INEC in this state can ever be found culpable of any electoral crime of did anything untowards to achieve the result.”
“We know people were watching and listening to us before the election, but we never knew people didn’t believe us when we promised that their votes would count, until they saw the outcome and said they just believed. Our people needs to know that, with the new INEC, the era of election rigging and manipulations are over and even the political parties and other stakeholders must also know that and begin to live by it.”
