The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) organized a one-day pre-election stakeholders forum for all stakeholders in the 16 local government areas of the state. The event took place at Fresh Hotel, Ilorin.
In his opening remarks, the state chairman of KWSIEC, Mallam Muhammad Baba Okanla, emphasized the importance of local government elections in the democratic system. He stated, “As we prepare for the upcoming local government elections, it is vital to recognize their importance in our democratic system. Local government elections are the foundation of our democratic structure, providing citizens with the power to elect leaders who will directly affect their everyday lives. These elections will shape governance at the grassroots level, influencing community development, local policies, and the overall welfare of our people.
Mallam Okanla highlighted KWSIEC’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections. “Our aim at KWSIEC is to ensure that these elections are free, fair, credible, acceptable, and inclusive.
We have put in place robust measures to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, from voter register to the final declaration of results. We are committed to transparency and accountability in every step of the process,” he said.
Mallam Okanla concluded by charging all stakeholders to uphold their roles and responsibilities with dedication and integrity
APC state secretary, Alh Mustapha Isowo commended KWSIEC for this programme and his party are ready for the election, he called APC supporters to remain called and resolute
Speaking with newsmen, the state chairman of PDP, Rt Hon Babatunde Muhammad, praised the forum as a welcome development, stating, “This one-day stakeholders forum is a welcome development and it clearly shows that KWSIEC is ready for business as expected, with the calibre of people that attended today’s event.
Muhammad also highlighted an unprecedented situation in Kwara’s political history: “I want to say that for the first time in political history, Kwara State, the 16 local councils didn’t have elected councils for 5 years. It has never happened like this even during the military era.
At PDP, we believe that the only way development can reach the nooks and crannies of the state is by having elected councils at the local government.
On his part, Mr. Asnalu of Ilorin East local government urged KWSIEC to address all the concerns raised by stakeholders. APC State Secretary Mustapha Isowo commended KWSIEC for the timely program.
