The Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, Mohammed Okanla, has vowed to conduct transparent, free, and fair Local Government Council elections in the state, asserting that he cannot be swayed by monetary incentives.
Responding to allegations from some political parties that the Commission was biased towards the ruling party, Okanla denied any favoritism during a one-day pre-election Stakeholders Forum held in Ilorin, the state capital, on Tuesday. He stated, “It is unfair for people to accuse me of supporting the ruling party in the state on the local government elections. They are giving false information. Let me tell you, I have my own money and I’m satisfied with whatever I have, no one can entice me with money.”
Okanla called on all stakeholders to collaborate with the Commission to ensure free, fair, acceptable, inclusive, and credible local government elections, emphasizing the importance of local governance. “Local government elections are crucial as they empower citizens to actively participate in governance. They are the closest form of government to the people, directly addressing local issues and community needs. The elected officials at this level are responsible for essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. These elections also play a significant role in nurturing future political leaders. They provide a platform for emerging leaders to gain experience and demonstrate their capabilities. Moreover, local government elections reinforce political accountability, ensuring that leaders remain responsive to the needs of their communities,” he said.
Highlighting the challenges of local government elections, Okanla remarked, “As we approach the elections, we are confronted with issues such as political polarization, voter apathy, and the spread of misinformation, adding security remains a paramount concern. Ensuring the safety of voters, electoral officials and is essential.”
He stressed the need for stakeholder cooperation to achieve a transparent and credible electoral process, saying, “The success of the upcoming elections depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders; Political parties, Civil Society organizations, Security agencies, the media and the electorate all have crucial roles to play. We have established robust monitoring mechanisms to detect and address any instances of fraud adding collaboration with Civil Society organizations and electoral observers will enhance the credibility and monitoring process.”
Additionally, Okanla noted that the Commission had engaged in town hall meetings with traditional rulers and residents across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Babatunde Mohammed, urged the Commission to ensure transparency in the forthcoming local government elections. He appealed for a level playing field for all participating political parties, saying, “The body language of the commission will encourage the masses to come out and vote in the election.”
The state chairman of the Action Alliance, Ismail Ajinikirun, also encouraged the Commission to conduct a fair election, stating, “If you do the right thing, your mind will be clear.”
The Stakeholders Forum was attended by heads of security agencies, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Customs, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and a representative of INEC.
