Shun vote buying, electioneering violence – Osun REC to IPAC
Politicians have been advised to shun vote buying and violence during electioneering.
The advice was given by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, during a courtesy call by the newly elected executive members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Osun State.
The newly elected Osun IPAC executive council members were on a familiarisation visit to the INEC headquarters on Thursday.
Agboke while discussing with the IPAC members advised them to re-orientate their members on the duties and functions of the political parties.
The Osun INEC boss also hinted that IPAC in the state was not doing enough to moderate and regulate the inadequacies of political parties.
In his words, “The major threat to election is a flagrant abuse and use of money to induce and bastardise the electoral process
“Let us change the orientation of politicians to stop looking for INEC staff to win elections
“Any INEC staff that comes for patronage, disgrace them. If you need anything, come to INEC.
“IPAC should discourage politicians from constituting terror.”
Agboke also urged the Osun IPAC executives to hold refresher programmes for their members across all political parties.
“Party politics is very important. We have a lot of work to do.
“You represent various political parties, they must respect you. Bring back the old days and put yourselves in a position of authority.
“Do a refresher course for yourselves. Invite those in government. Make sure you do all logistics to bring elected officials to the state for the programme.
“To achieve that, do an orientation for party chairmen, secretaries and reel out your programmes and reveal your financial conditions to them.
“It is not enough that you were elected but do a reorientation for political parties
“I am going to visit each party secretariat one after the other.
“INEC is present at party primaries merely as observers.”
Earlier in his address, the Osun IPAC chairman, Pastor Victor Akande revealed that the visit was to introduce the new IPAC executives.
He also stated that part of the visit was to appreciate INEC and Dr Agboke for their support for IPAC over the years.
