I’ll resign from INEC if our commission is found culpable over Osun gov poll ― Agbaje

THE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Osun, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, on Wednesday in Osogbo, the state capital declared that he was ready to resign his appointment with the umpire if the court found the electoral body culpable over the credibility of September 22, 2018, gubernatorial poll in the state and the rerun election held last Thursday, which was won by the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola.

He reaffirmed the neutrality and commitment of the commission in delivering a credible election for the people of Osun State.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates of return to Oyetola and his deputy governor designate, Mr Benedict Olugboyega Alabi at the INEC office in Osun, Agbaje said “suffice to say that I and my staff here in Osun did our best to render a good election for the people of Osun State and to promote the image of INEC.”

According to him, “we are not unmindful that some political parties and their candidates may want to challenge the outcome of the election at the election petition tribunal. This I am sure is their rights as guaranteed by laws.”

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Agbaje continued, “however, if at the end of litigation at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the commission is found culpable for not discharging its responsibility faithfully and diligently, I will take responsibility for any such laxity, publicly apologise to all Nigerians and thereafter resign my appointment with the commission. I honestly I work very hard with my lieutenants to ensure we justify the confidence of the people and mobilise all human and material resources provided for us by the commission to prosecute the election.”

While commending all the relevant stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), People Living With Disabilities, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, security agencies, media, among others, the REC emphasised that the political class must change their “do or die”conduct to strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, speaking shortly after receiving certificate of return from the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states, Mr Solomon Adedeji Shoyebi, Oyetola restated his resolve to run an all-inclusive government that consult widely with all stakeholders to further enhance the steady development of Osun State.

He defended his victory at the polls, contending that his election as the new governor of the state was free, credible and acceptable by the generality of the people who, he said, voted massively for the APC, with a view to promoting continuity in responsible governance and socio-economic growth of the state.