By Bukola Olamona
|
The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission(ODIEC), has presented Certificate of Return to the councillorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) of Ikun ward 9 in Akoko South West Local Government, Mr Olasehinde Adefarati.
The state electoral Umpire presented the Certificate of Return following the decision of Ikare High Court that upturned the election that brought in Mr Obasanmi Kehinde of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the year 2020 local government elections.
While presenting the certificate, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Joseph Aremo noted that the issuance of the Certificate is in compliance with the court order to withdraw the already issued certificate from Mr Obasanmi Kehinde and issue a new one to Mr Olasehinde Adefarati as the winner of the 2020 Local government councilloship election in the ward in Ikun Akoko ward 9 in Akoko South West Local Government Area
Aremo stressed that the commission is bound by law and it was ready to obey the order of the court at all times.
Speaking on the February 17, 2024 election, the chairman reiterated the commitment of the commission to conduct an election which would be free, fair, credible and transparent which would entrench the wills of the people at the grassroots
He urged the political parties participating in the 2024 election to campaign rightly for the votes of the people at the grassroots as their votes would count this time around .
Aremo also advised political parties participating in the local government elections to play the games according to the rules as anything done against the enabling laws would be struck out by the commission
Counsel to the new councillor, Barr. Oladele Oke while speaking on behalf of his client appreciated ODIEC for adhering to the order of the court stressing that the commission had laid a good foundation for entrenching democracy at the grassroots.
The chairman of IPAC in Ondo State, Prince Olaoluwa Adesanya noted that the presentation of the certificate of return by ODIEC had cancelled the negative thought they had about the commission and it has further increased their faith that the forthcoming election would be free, fair, credible and transparent.
