Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has urged the people of the State to be law abiding and conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner during Saturday’s local government election.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, told the people to see the local government election as an important step in enhancing development and good governance at the grassroots.
Governor Oyebanji urged the voters to consider the overriding Ekiti interest as well as the interests of their respective local government councils in determining who gets elected.
He, however, urged them to go about the electoral process in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.
Oyebanji equally appealed to the candidates in the election as well as the political class to pursue their ambitions and interests peacefully, noting that the peace of Ekiti State is not negotiable.
The Governor called on traditional, religious and community leaders to use their influence to prevent youths from engaging in activities that may have negative impact on the election.
According to the Governor, security agencies are at alert to respond to any act of violence or brigandage during the process. He, therefore, advised those planning to cause any disruption to reconsider their actions.
He also called on the state electoral commission to ensure transparency and professionalism in the conduct of the election in the overall interest of the state.
“The local government election is crucial to our development agenda, and every citizen has a role to play in ensuring we have a hitch- free election that will produce a new set of officials for all our councils”, the Governor added.