The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has made a commitment to conduct fair and credible local government and councilorship elections in the state. The elections, scheduled for December 29, 2026, will be overseen by the commission, which has assured that it will abide by the rules and guidelines of the electoral process.
Babatunde Adeniyi, the OYSIEC Chairman, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the executives of the Oyo State Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). According to him, all processes leading to the election are in top gear, and the commission will ensure compliance with all relevant laws to deliver a credible election.
The Chairman also sought the support of the media and political parties in the state to deliver on his mandate. He appreciated the media for their past support and promised to leverage on it to address voter apathy that often characterises local government elections in the state.
Remi Ayoade, OYSIEC commissioner, called on all political parties in the state to participate in the forthcoming local government and councilorship elections. Yinka Adeniran, chairman of Correspondents' Chapel of NUJ, praised Babatunde Adeniyi as a unionist who has won many battles for the good of the downtrodden.
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission's commitment to fair and credible elections is a welcome development, particularly in addressing voter apathy in local government polls. Babatunde Adeniyi's pledge to comply with all relevant laws and deliver a transparent election is a testament to his willingness to lead by example. However, the commission's success will largely depend on the level of support it receives from political parties and the media. As the Chairman has acknowledged, a credible election requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders. The Oyo State government should also take note of the Chairman's call to address voter apathy, which has been a recurring issue in local government elections. Ultimately, the success of this election will have a direct impact on the lives of everyday Nigerians, and it is crucial that the commission delivers on its promise.
