INEC, Political Parties, Community Leaders, Civil Societies, Police Others Grace PUAN Ado-Odo/Ota Inauguration

INEC, Political Parties, Community Leaders, Civil Societies, Police Others Grace PUAN Ado-Odo/Ota Inauguration

*We have created more Polling Units - INEC*

*Elites Don't Vote - DSS*

The inauguration of Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria (PUAN), Ado-Odo/Ota chapter was held on Saturday 5th of June in Ota and was witnessed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representatives, Security Agencies representatives, Community Leaders, Civil Societies and Youth Groups.

According to the Area Ambassador of PUAN in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government in his welcome address, Amb. Solanke Israel stated that the goal of the organization is to ensure that the electorates become the ultimate decider of all election results in the country, and also to ensure that elected officials in our democratic system of government are always evaluated and held accountable to their campaign promises.

He further said that PUAN will encourage, mobilize, train and support the electorates at each polling unit on the power and importance of exercising their civic right irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity.

While inaugurating the newly sworn in executive members of the organisation, the Deputy Ambassador General of PUAN, South West, Amb. Olotu Ibrahim charged the Ambassadors to remain committed to the values of PUAN and avoid being bought by greedy Politicians. Olotu said one of the strategic plans of PUAN is to mobilise voters to retire non-performing public office holders that seek re-election. 

In his remark, Amb. Samuel Agboola, the Ogun State Ambassador encouraged all relevant stakeholders to partner with PUAN in the discharge of their duties. He later presented the duo of Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju and Agnes Ajani to the Deputy Ambassador General for oath taking as they resume official duties as Ogun West Senatorial Ambassador and Senatorial Women Leader respectively.

The Local Government Excos were equally inaugurated as Oath Taking exercise was conducted by Barrister Oluwatoyin Adeyanju Obalanlege.

While speaking on behalf of INEC, the Assistant Electoral Officer of Ado-Odo/Ota, Mr. Saka Gbolahan  commended the leadership of PUAN for supporting INEC to conduct a free, fair & credible election. He said INEC recently increased the number of Polling Units in order to encourage more voters to participate in the election. "Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government now has 655 polling units as against the existing 257. The Polling Units are closer to the voters, this we were able to achieve in collaboration with our CDAs" he said.

The Director of Department of State Security in Ado-Odo/Ota, Mrs Ajewole Mercy who spoke on behalf of Security Agencies charged the new Ambassadors to avoid distraction and focus on their core objectives. She noted that the elites don't usually participate in elections and this accounts for the increase in voters apathy. The Chairman of League of Alfas and Imams in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Imam Akinboyede reiterated the need for Politicians to be God fearing. He commended PUAN for coming up with the initiative and promised the support of the Muslim Community.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event include Mr. Shola Afariogun, Executive Director of AFED, Comrade Ojeleye Segun, the Local Government Coordinator of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Oceejay Jonathan, Fmr. Local Government Chairman of ANRP and Mr. Adekanbi Rasheed, representative of the Zonal CDC Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota.

Present at the event is the Administrative Officer of Onipanu Police Division, ASP Whesu Felix who represented ACP Muyideen Obe, the Area Commander of Ota. Others include, Mr. Akanni Oladimeji Balogun, Coordinator of Generation Next,  Mrs. Jumoke Odeyemi, Chairperson of Ota Civil Society Group on Roads and Pastor Jaiyesinmi, Coordinator of Electricity Consumer Right in Ota; Alhaji Abioro and Mr. Adebori from Save Atan-Agbara Road Group were equally present.