Dr Mutiu Agboke, the immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, has assured Nigerians that the 2023 general election would hold and votes will count.
He gave the assurance while delivering a keynote address at the 15th anniversary of Splash 105.5 FM and the 83rd birthday of the founder held on Friday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Splash 105.5 FM is owned by the 83-year-old Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adebayo Akande.
Splash FM, a subsidiary of West Midlands Communications and the first Ibadan-based private radio station, was established in 2007.
Agboke urged Nigerians to have hope in the electoral process while jettisoning skepticism and discouraging statements from individuals.
“We’re the ones that will better our lots by ourselves. If we have challenges in our election we would solve them ourselves, and that’s why INEC has introduced various innovations.
“That is why we have ensured that we protect the sanctity of the results. We want more people to come out and vote.
“If the result is guaranteed and people are able to see the result where they vote, they will be more interested in the election. So, apathy would be reduced,” he said.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and come out on the election day to choose the candidate of their choice.
“We feel that our people are not always ready to do the right thing unless you push them. Pushing them is a way of encouraging them.
“That is why I advocated that the state government should please set aside a day for the people, specifically to go and collect the card.
“I think every stakeholder should join hand in this call so that government can do the needful,” he said. (Guardian)
