Tuesday, 11 May 2021: The Oyo State police command is collaborating with the management of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, (OYSIEC), in a bid to ensure hitch-free local government elections.
The public relations officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Adewale Osifeso, Anipr, made this known on Monday, in a press release made available to CEOAFRICA.
According to him, the state commissioner of police, Ngozi Onadeko, and Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju (SAN), Chairman of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission) hosted principal political actors and critical stakeholders in the State in preparation for the 2021 Local Government Elections scheduled to take place on May 22.
The meeting, which had in attendance the Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), represented by Mr Akinade Kabir Opeyemi, and representatives from all other sister agencies, was to sensitize and legally bind principal actors, especially aspirants and their party supporters towards the conduct of a hazzle free voting exercise.
Following this development, the Chairman of OYSIEC, Aare Abiola, lauded the robust relationship between the political parties and acknowledged the maximum level of cooperation enjoyed by the agency from law enforcement agenciesespecially the Police.
He further assured all stakeholders of a free and fair election while charging them not to unnecessarily heat up the polity before, during and after the elections.
The meeting created an enabling environment for gainful interaction, sharing of ideas and useful suggestions amongst law enforcement agencies, the state electoral agency and political stakeholders present.
The state commissioner of police, Onadeko, reiterated the commitment of the police 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 CP further 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.
