By Sunday Ameh
The Ilese Development Council has called on eligible voters in Ilese and neighbouring communities in Ogun State to reject vote buying and participate actively in the electoral process as part of efforts to strengthen democratic governance.
The appeal was made during the council's Voters' Education Summit, themed "Register Today: Decide Tomorrow – Empowering Ilese and Her Environs Towards Political Participation," which attracted community leaders, electoral officials, security agencies, youths, women and other stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, the Head of Operations at the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Joseph Omotiloye, described voter registration as the bedrock of democracy and urged eligible citizens to register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and exercise their voting rights during elections.
He said meaningful participation in elections begins with voter registration, stressing that every eligible Nigerian has a responsibility to contribute to the country's democratic development by casting their vote.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Ilese Development Council, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, said the ballot remains one of the most effective instruments available to citizens for determining the quality of leadership and influencing governance.
Kalejaye urged residents to vote for candidates based on competence, integrity and their capacity to deliver good governance rather than financial inducements.
"The vote is your power to enforce and demand good governance. Do not mortgage your future by selling your vote. Choose leaders based on competence, integrity and their commitment to serving the people," he said.
Also addressing participants, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, represented by the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Ijebu Area Command, ACP Yusuf A. Wasiu, assured residents of adequate security throughout the electoral process.
He encouraged voters not to be intimidated or discouraged from exercising their constitutional rights, assuring them that the police would remain neutral while protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials.
Participants were also educated on voter registration procedures, the importance of collecting and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, and the need to reject electoral violence, vote buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The summit ended with a commitment by community leaders and participants to mobilise eligible residents across Ilese and surrounding communities to register for their PVCs, participate peacefully in elections and promote credible democratic processes.
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