President Bola Tinubu has urged all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
The election is slated to be held across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The President made the appeal in a State House release issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
The statement noted that the President anticipates a “democratic process in the state that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and power to freely choose their leaders.”
“As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum, and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections.
“President Tinubu anticipates a democratic process in the state that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and power to freely choose their leaders,” the statement partly read.
Tinubu also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its swift preparations, and the deployment of security operatives to maintain law and order in the state.
“The President commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its diligent preparations for the election, particularly its timely distribution of sensitive materials across all 18 local government areas in the state.
“He also acknowledges the deployment of security men to maintain law and order. He appreciates the assurances from the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff that the personnel will act professionally and adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act to ensure a credible electoral process.
“President Tinubu reminds all political stakeholders, especially the candidates, that the people bestow the privilege to govern, and this right must be respected and not undermined. He emphasises that it is in the best interest of all Nigerians to ensure a free and fair election and consolidate our over 25 years of democratic governance,” the statement added.
PUNCH Online reports that during the distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 LGs, representatives of various political parties, as well as security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others, were present.