Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, swore in the Chairman and members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), charging them to use their professional knowledge, expertise and wealth of experience to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral process in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge while swearing in the chairman of LASIEC, Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile, and five commissioners of the electoral body, who are expected to coordinate the proposed local government elections in the state, at a ceremony which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alausa Ikeja.
The members are: Mr Samson Ajibade, Mr Akin Durojaiye Oluwo, Dr Olumide Olusola Metilelu, Mr Abeeb Dapo Aileru, and Hon. Oladele Adekanye.
The governor also swore in three newly appointed permanent secretaries, namely Mr Fashola, Abdul Rafiu Omowole; Mrs Sarumi, Kaphayah Olayemi; and Mr Muri-Okunola, Abdul-Rasheed Abiola.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his speech, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to democracy, accountability, and the rule of law, adding: “Credible elections are the bedrock of sustainable development, and we will continue to support LASIEC in fulfilling its mandate.”
He told the LASIEC chairman and members to ensure they maintained the sanctity of democracy by ensuring they conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“As you assume this critical role, I urge you to prioritise transparency, fairness, and impartiality. The credibility of any electoral process is the cornerstone of its acceptance.
“Your actions must reflect the highest standards of integrity and accountability. To this end, I encourage you to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and reliability,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the commission to work in synergy with all political stakeholders, including members of the opposition parties, to ensure the transparency of the electoral system.
He assured the commission that the state government would provide all the support the commission needed to conduct a credible election.
“LASIEC stands as a pillar of our democratic framework, entrusted with the noble duty of organising free, fair, and credible local government elections. This is not just an administrative task; it is a sacred responsibility that shapes the future of our communities. I recall vividly the excitement and hope in the air during our last local elections, a testament to the power of democratic participation. This is the spirit we must nurture.
“As you assume this critical role, I urge you to prioritise transparency, fairness, and impartiality. The credibility of any electoral process is the cornerstone of its acceptance. Your actions must reflect the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
“To this end, I encourage you to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and reliability. For example, exploring biometric voter registration can significantly enhance accuracy and prevent fraud, while online platforms can improve voter education and access to information.
“Furthermore, fostering robust collaboration is essential. LASIEC must work in synergy with all stakeholders. This means establishing regular consultations with political parties to proactively address concerns, partnering with civil society organisations for effective voter education campaigns, and maintaining open communication channels with the media to ensure transparency throughout the process,” the governor said.
In a related development, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the new permanent secretaries to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, provide sound and impartial advice, ensure effective implementation of government policies, foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and prioritise service delivery.
The governor further charged the permanent secretaries, being role models for the entire public service, to ensure that their conduct, both on and off duty, reflected the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability that the government strives to uphold in Lagos State.
The Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, in his earlier remark, described the confirmation of the Chairman and Members of LASIEC as very timely, saying that it could not have come at a better time considering the fast-approaching local government polls in the state.
Agoro said this would surely enable them to perform their duties in effectively organising elections in all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the state without fear or favour.
“The confirmation of the Chairman and Members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission was very timely and could not have come at a better time considering the fast-approaching local government elections in our great state.
“This will surely enable them to perform their duties in effectively organising elections in all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas within the state without fear or favour.
“Also, the appointment of three new permanent secretaries by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, that we are all witnessing their swearing-in ceremony today, is in line with the need to reinvigorate the state’s policy implementation apparatus, as well as filling the vacancies occasioned by the continuous statutory retirement of permanent secretaries from the state public service.
“The Lagos State Public Service is fast moving into an era where the quality of work done and individual contributions to the development of the state would play a huge factor in determining their recognition and elevation for greater responsibilities,” he said.
Giving the Vote of Assurance, Justice Ighile and Mr Fashola, who spoke respectively on behalf of the LASIEC members and the permanent secretaries, promised to be committed to the assignment given to them and serve passionately to contribute their quotas to transparent and credible elections and the actualisation of the THEMES+ developmental agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
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