*Says poll at par with INEC – organised elections
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has commended the state electoral umpire for the smooth process in the conduct of the ongoing council polls across the state.
The governor also commended the electorate for turning out to participate in the election.
Makinde made the remarks shortly after casting his vote at the Ward 11, Unit 1, Abayomi Area, Ibadan North East Local Government on Saturday.
The governor arrived the unit at about 10: 30AM to be received by the party agent and some party leaders at the council level.
He urged the people to receive the outcome of the election in good faith, adding that the election is at par with the one organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Makinde said, “For us in Oyo state, it is almost like a giving, democracy at the grassroots is what we practise. it’s almost our 5th year in office and we are holding local government election for the second time.
“Before we came in, it had always been a caretaker administration, where the people did not really have a say on who should govern them at the grassroots level.
“You can see how people are going about exercising peacefully. Traffic restrictions is been obeyed by the people.
“I’ll like to commend our people for coming out, and take this civic exercise seriously for our democracy
“The security has been excellent truly. I challenge people to compare it with the INEC-organised elections is almoat at par, and see how transparent the process is.
“For the people I will say accept the outcome, if you see anything ontowards or irregularities as far as this exercise is concerned, bring it up to the authorities and then they will deal with it.
“For those who are yet to come out, they should come out and exercise their civic responsibility. They will even feel good that they are part of the process and we will count them as part of those contributing to the progress and development of our democracy.
