…Christian, Muslim Stakeholders urge Oyo REC to be unbiased umpire
Stakeholders in Ibadan North have called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Adeniran Tella, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State to ensure neutrality and fairness in the forthcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election.
The call was made on Thursday at the end of a religious stakeholders meeting held at the Pensioners’ Hall, Oyo State Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.
The meeting brought together leaders of various faith-based groups, political observers, and community leaders to deliberate on the need for a peaceful and credible election.
Speaking at the event, participants emphasized that impartiality from the electoral umpire remains crucial to sustaining public trust and preventing post-election disputes.
They urged INEC officials to resist any form of political pressure as a federal parastatal, stressing that only a transparent process will reflect the true will of the people.
The meeting also witnessed active mobilization efforts from the Special Assistant to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde on Interfaith Matters, Rev. Femi Ibikunle, and the Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Abdulganiy.
Both aides rallied religious communities in support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Fola Oyekunle, popularly known as DonDeal.
In their separate remarks, the Special Assistants to Oyo state governor on Interfaith; Reverend Femi Ibikunle and Islamic Affairs; Alhaji Abdul-Rosheed Abdul-Azeez, the governor’s aides appealed to Christians and Muslims across the constituency to vote massively for Oyekunle.
They described him as a grassroots politician with a track record of service as a former state legislature in the 9th Oyo Assembly as well as committed to his people.
They also highlighted the benefits of aligning with the ruling party in the state, noting that it would attract more development projects to Ibadan North while also giving the constituents a strong voice and representation in the green chamber of the National Assembly.
With the by-election slated for August 16, security agencies have been urged to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral materials to avoid voters apathy.
In his words: “the purpose of today’s meeting is to carry our fathers of faith along and other religious stakeholders across all the religions in Oyo state particularly on the coming Election slated for Saturday, August 16.
“We acknowledge the peaceful coexistence among all the religions including Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Worshipers under the leadership of governor Seyi Makinde, and this can not be overemphasized, that governor Makinde has done exceptionally well.
“We believe that as a political disciple of governor Makinde, Fola Oyekunle, if elected by his people will not stray from the vision and ideals of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) just as his other senior colleagues in our great party from Oyo state have continually make us proud.
“We’ve all seen what the APC led federal government is doing to Nigerians, we’re all witnesses to the rot and damage under their government and we can not afford to elect a representative that will only go to Abuja to warm the chair in alliance with other rubber stamp APC lawmakers. We want real value for our votes in this election and we can only get that when we all send Oyekunle to Abuja with our votes.
“We must also sound this very loudly that Ibadan North vote is not for sale and any attempt to frustrate or subvert the will of the people to freely choose their representative at the poll shall be fiercely resisted by the electorates. We’re aware they’ll bring money to induce voters because poverty has been seriously weaponized but we’re appealing to our religious leaders to take this Omituntun message to their various mosques, churches and places of worships.
“I want to particularly urge the Oyo REC to resist the temptation of being used by anti democratic forces because whatever we do today becomes our history tomorrow and posterity will be waiting to hold us all to account,” Rev Ibikunle said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abdul-Rosheed reiterated that: “the meeting was to engage our fathers of faith and leaders under the umbrella body of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and League of Imams and Alfas, Women and youth demography such as ANSAR-U Deen, MSS, FOMWAN, MODARIS, and others in Ibadan North, being critical stakeholders in the affairs of our dear state. They have large congregations at their various places of worships and we believe they’ll take the Seyi Makinde’s good governance gospel to them.
“We’re passionately appealing to them to give our party candidate, Fola Oyekunle popularly known as Don, the maximum support needed to secure his electoral victory on Saturday at the poll. We’re appealing for their special payers towards our candidate’s resounding victory, secondly, we want them to own this PDP project and help us take our campaign to their people in their various churches and mosques, and thirdly, educate their congregants on the need for their participation in the election process until success is secured.
“Governor Makinde has clearly exemplified pragmatism and visionary leadership as well as deepening inclusive governance regardless of religion or ethnicity. And this good governance has transcended all the geopolitical zones in the state, therefore, even if anyone harbors doubts in our candidate, let them repose their confidence in governor Makinde to cast their vote for his political disciple.
“We have always retained confidence in INEC and we hope and pray that the electoral body will not compromise on Saturday. We hope that the Oyo REC, Mr Adeniran Tella, will also justify our confidence in INEC by maintaining neutrality and unbiased position so that the will of the electorate will not be subverted at the end of the poll.
The Chairman of CAN in Ibadan North LG, Rev. Father Moses Akinbinu, Rasheed Idris, the representated Muslim Society of Nigeria, and other stakeholders commending governor Makinde for his impressive performance which they described as unprecedented in the state.
They also appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the polls.
The Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Olaide Akinremi ‘Jagaban’ in July.