February 25, (THEWILL) -Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has decried the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide enough cards for agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at various polling booths in the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections.
He stated this after casting his vote at Ward 3, Unit 2, Ita-Osayin, in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Saturday
Abiodun said that the lack of adequate provision of the cards by INEC to APC’s agents for easy representation at polling units caused hitches in the election process in some parts of the state
He stressed that he was yet to confirm the cause, insisting on whether it applied to agents of other political parties in the state. He added that he was impressed by the turnout of the people at his polling units.
The Governor, however, thanked the Commission for working hard during the election period, saying it was usual for INEC to have slight hitches because the election is a massive task for the electoral body.
He, therefore, called on media professionals to show professionalism in their reportage of the election process, noting that he and the public depend on them for information during the election period.
“From all that I have been told so far, it appears to be going well enough, there were a few hitches early this morning, which centred around the issue of agent identification and cards. I am told INEC did not provide enough cards for agents to identify themselves as they represent themselves at the various polling units.
“I am yet to confirm what caused that; I am not sure whether this applies to all parties but our party agents have complained. But I believe that some arrangements have been worked out and you know voting has started and the voters’ turnouts are impressive, which is very exciting and everything seems to be peaceful.
“I want to thank INEC for the hard work put into the process and obviously, taking up more responsibilities that we have in the past, so one must definitely appreciate what they have done. You know it is not unusual their slight hitches that are there, it is such tasks as massive as this and I am sure that at the end of the day, all will go well, even in the next election there will be an incumbent leader.
“I want to thank you and encourage you to go out; you will be our eyes and ears because there is limited movement. I will not be able to go around because how many places will I be able to go to? I would like to hear from you as to what you have seen so that we can use that for feedback for umpires of this electoral process,” he added.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, casting his vote at Ita-Osanyin, Ward 3, Unit 2, Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State.
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