By Adesakin Adefemi
The Ogun State House of Assembly on Wednesday screened five nominees forwarded by Governor Dapo Abiodun for appointment into the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, urging them to raise the standard of local government elections in the state.
The screening exercise was held at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. It was presided over by the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, with several principal officers and members of the House in attendance.
The nominees presented to the House include Mr. Babatunde Adetona Osibodu, Mr. Tunji Akoni, Mr. Ayodele Bankole, Mrs. Gbemisola Onasanya and Mrs. Oluwaremilekun Olaopa. Each nominee appeared before the lawmakers to respond to questions on their qualifications, professional experience, and proposed agenda for the commission.
During the session, Speaker Elemide and other members commended the nominees for their track records in public service. The lawmakers noted that some of the nominees had previously served in the commission and said the quality of their past work was well acknowledged by the House.
Despite the commendations, Elemide was clear that the Assembly expects significant improvement in the conduct of future elections at the local government level. He urged the nominees to address gaps and shortcomings observed in previous exercises and to work toward more transparent and credible outcomes.
According to the Speaker, the nominees must draw on lessons from past elections conducted by the commission. He called for practical electoral reforms that would reduce tension, prevent disputes, and ensure rancour free elections across the 20 local government areas of the state.
He stressed that credible polls at the grassroots are vital to strengthening democracy and public confidence in governance.
Responding on behalf of the group, the Chairman-designate, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, expressed gratitude to the Assembly for the confidence reposed in them.
Osibodu, a native of Ilisan Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area, assured the lawmakers that the incoming team would not take the assignment lightly.
He said the new commission would build on past achievements while introducing measures to close loopholes that previously affected public perception of local polls. He pledged closer collaboration with political parties, civil society, security agencies, and the media to ensure early preparation, voter education, and hitch free logistics on election day.
The screening is a key step in the process of reconstituting OGSIEC ahead of the next round of local government elections in Ogun State. Following the exercise, the House is expected to transmit its resolution to Governor Abiodun for final approval.
Inauguration of the nominees will follow once the governor acts on the Assembly’s report, paving the way for the commission to begin preparations for upcoming electoral activities.
