As the Local Government election is approaching in Osun State, the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy, COPDEM, on Saturday advised the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, to be open, not to compromise but allow the will of the electorate to come to pass.
The newly elected Chairman of the COPDEM for Osun State, Mr Oguntola Kehinde Joshua gave this advice in his acceptance speech during the official inauguration of the executive members of the organization held at the NUJ Osun State Council in Osogbo.
According to the COPDEM, “The OSSIEC should start their preparation as early as possible and make sure people votes were counted because Local government is the closest government to the people that can brings about quick dividends of democracy.
“We are imploring the OSSIEC to be calm and desist from any action that can disrupt the peace and harmony being enjoying presently in the state while they should allow the voters to perform their civic responsibility”.
The Chairman also charged political parties participating in the February local government election in Osun to uphold laws guiding conduct of the election while there should be continued cooperation and understanding in the election for free, fair, transparent and acceptable elections.
Joshua who appreciated the Board of Trustees and National Executive members of the COPDEM, home and abroad for chosen him to be piloting the affairs of the organization in the state with other members of the executive promised not to let them down and always abide with the aims and objectives of the organization.
He charged other members of the state executive to be up and doing and always demonstrate their unflinching support to him as he cannot do it alone without them.
The COPDEM is a Non Governmental Organization, NGO that was established to sanitize the electioneering process and to orientate both the electorates and candidates on what to do in order to have a better Nigeria.
The newly elected officers for the COPDEM in Osun State includes, Oguntola Kehinde Joshua as Chairman, Mr Adedigba Moses as Vice-chairman, Mrs Adeyemi Idayat as Welfare Director, Mrs Fayinminu Seun as Treasurer, and Mrs Afolabi Banke as Financial Secretary.
Others are Mr Olaniran Babatunde as Publicity Secretary, Mrs Tawa Olaleye as Woman Leader, Hon Popoola Yekeen as Political Leader, Mr Taiwo Oyebamiji as Youth Leader and Oladuni Ebenezer as General Secretary.