Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun, as assured that only people voted for would become elective office holders in Nigeria, come 2023 and beyond.
Agboke, gave the assurance while speaking and sensitising muslim worshippers on INEC and election matters during the Friday Jumat Service held at the Osogbo Central Mosque.
The REC said with the arrangements INEC had put in place, including the introduction of electronic transmission results plus the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), it would be effort in futility for anyone who wants to manipulate the election process.
He urged people of the state, who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to do so before the election in February 2023, saying with the new INEC Electoral Act and arrangements, every vote count.
He said INEC has pasted names of registered voters at the Wards for people to come for claims and objectives (make corrections on their information or point out issues of dead or underage persons).
He said starting from tomorrow, Saturday, the exercise would be moved to INEC local government offices, adding that register voters should assist INEC to clean up its Voter register (make needed corrections).
“If anyone or politician is thinking of snatching ballot boxes or use violence to win elections, it would not work because INEC has put arrangements in place that makes it impossible for anyone to win election without the people voting for him.
“Do not think because governorship election has been conducted in Osun, election has ended. The presidential, senatorial and House of Assembly elections are still there.
“Ensure you get your PVC. Nobody can win elective position again except those people voted or elect. Nobody can use violence to win election.
“If anyone plan to attack or kill INEC official(s), it will not stop the election and the will of the people.
“Like it happened in Ekiti and Osun, nobody can become the President, a Senator, a House of Assembly or Representative member except the people voted them.” he said
He, however, admonished parents to warn their children not to be used to cause violence during elections, saying anyone caught would be prosecuted.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animashaun, admonished INEC and security agencies to be fair and impartial during elections.
Animashaun also warned Alfas (Muslim clerics) not to be political or take sides during elections, charging whoever the people elect in political office to always be magnanimous to all, irrespective of his political party or religious affiliation
