OGUN RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER RESUMES DUTY
Penpushing reports that, Raji spoke with journalists on arrival at the commission’s headquarters in Magbon area of Abeokuta, the state capital, adding that he is not a green horn on election matters, having served at various levels and also conducted the Ekiti State elections successfully
“From what I have received from them, it looks they are fully prepared and they are doing their job. I understand that over 700,000 cards yet to be collected. We have 2.3million registered voters in Ogun State’.
‘I would study that and see necessary steps we would take to ensure as many as possible collect the cards. I need to look at what are on ground, the steps that have been taken and to see if there is other things that I can add. But, so far, I am satisfied with their operation”.
The electoral umpire advised politicians to work hard in convincing electorates to vote for them, rather that attempting to cut corners, stressing that as the head of the commission in the state he would not derail from it constitutional duties, to conduct free and fair elections
“I don’t warn people. I don’t threaten, I just do my job. This is not the first place I am working as REC. This is not the first place I would work not as REC. I have always do my job. I don’t allow people to interfere in my job, but that is not to say I would be very hostile to people. I have worked in Ekiti and the record is there”.
Speaking on what will be his position if there is attempt by politicians to pocket him, he said,” pocketing somebody? I don’t about that. Even if you want to pocket anybody, INEC’s operations now are very straightforward. We have our operations guidelines for electoral procedure”.
“So, there is very little anybody can do to help anybody in another way other than what INEC has actually stipulated as the mode of operation. If anybody is trying to induce INEC staff, the person is just wasting his or her time. That’s very straightforward thing”.
“We are going to accredit people who would vote. There is little I can do. If you are trying to induce INEC staff, you are wasting your time and efforts. What is important is to convince people to vote for you. Please, go and convince people to vote for you; that is what is important as far as electioneering process is concerned in Nigeria”.
“I can’t tamper with the smart card reader. People have to be accredited to vote. it’s the number of people that are accredited at every polling unit that would determine the result we expect. If you give me the whole of this world I can’t change that. Why don’t we be just Nigerians and friends rather than you wasting your time on me”.
