2023 elections: Oyo REC charges staff to be diligent, lauds outgoing Admin. Secretary
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Oyo state, Dr, Mutiu Agboke, has tasked staff of the Commission to be diligent as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.
Agboke gave the charge on Tuesday at the sendoff programme held in honour of the Commission’s outgoing Administrative Secretary, Mr David Asemo in Ibadan.
Asemo, who hitherto had been a staff in the Commission’s state headquarters in Ibadan, has been transferred to the INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The REC said that diligence, dedication to duty and compliance with the electoral laws and guidelines would ensure the commission conducts credible and acceptable elections in 2023.
He urged members of staff of the commission to rise up to their responsibilities and avoid being used by unscrupulous politicians to prevent the wishes of the electorate.
“Every staff of the commission should work towards the success of the 2023 elections, so we can build on the achievement recorded during the 2019 general elections in the state.
“I implore all the staff not to see the offices they are occupying as their personal property, but to live within their limit and shirk desperation about anything,” the INEC boss said.
Agboke said that the Administrative Secretary, who was being celebrated, was not leaving the commission, but only transferred to the Commission’s headquarters.
He said the policy of the Commission had caught up with Asemo, just like it had caught up with some other members of staff.
“I appreciate the transferred administrative secretary for his outstanding performance and unflinching support, which enhanced the successes recorded by the commission during the 2019 general elections in the state.
“Asemo is a disciplined, principled, hardworking, dutiful and loyal administrator, and I urge every member of staff to emulate his good character.
“On behalf of the management and staff of INEC in Oyo State, I want to appreciate him.
“Mr David Asemo, you saw and did not just conquer, but you influenced the system and together we delivered successfully the 2019 general elections.
“I pray that as you’re going you will go well, your fortune will continue to explode. I wish you well in your next posting,” he said.
Some members of staff of the Commission, in their respective remarks, described the outgoing Administrative Secretary as a straightforward, meticulous, dutiful and generous boss.
A Director, Alhaji Tajudeen Amosun, described the Administrative Secretary as someone who follows due procedure, and was very compassionate but hates people playing smart.
Also, the Heads of Legal Services and Political Parties Monitoring Departments, Mrs Faith Okoli and Mr Adedapo Aderibigbe respectively, said that Asemo had a friendly nature and operated an open-door policy.
The two officers said that the outgoing Administrative Secretary had during his stint in office affected the lives of many staff members.
In his response, the administrative secretary appreciated the management and staff of INEC in Oyo for honouring him.
Asemo urged staff of the commission in Ibadan to remain loyal to the management and to continue to do their best for the commission, saying, “There is reward for loyalty.”