Ajimobi lauds Oyo people for peaceful, orderly conduct during election
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has expressed appreciation to the people of the state for the peaceful and orderly manner they conducted themselves during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that the conduct of the people was an attestation of the peace and tranquility which his administration had enthroned in the last four years.
He said he was particularly impressed by the large turnout of voters, judging by reports received from the field across the state, saying that this was a further demonstration of their resolve to put in place leaders of their choice.
“I will describe the conduct of the people of Oyo State as being a reflection of our administration’s peaceful and no-violence stance. We are known for peace and we abhor violence. And we have been sustaining and maintaining it. This is what the people have demonstrated today. It is highly commendable,’’ he said.
Governor Ajimobi also commended the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a brilliant outing which he said was a tremendous improvement on the previous elections in the country.
“The accreditation was smooth. It took less than one minute for me to be accredited. The same thing for my wife. It also took less than two minutes for each of the voters that were accredited before me. No doubt, we hear negligible cases of hiccups but it is part of the experience one must encounter with a novel initiative like the card readers.
“The lesson we have learnt from this exercise which we must take to the election is that voters should wash their hands clean before going to the polling units to enhance smooth accreditation by the card readers,’’ he said.
The governor urged the people of the state to demonstrate similar patriotic posturing during the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections.
He restated his position that the electorate should be given the freedom to freely choose their leaders without being coerced or induced, saying that seeking elective offices should not be a do-or-die affair.