Announcing Saturday 12th May, 2018 as the new date for rescheduled election into the 33 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 35 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the state,the Oyo state Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC has cautioned journalists against misleading stories culpable at militating against the interest of the commission.
Its Chairman, Mr Jide Ajeigbe who spoke at a press briefing on Friday held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, while assuring the electorate of a credible, free and fair election noted that this can only be possible under a peaceful and conducive environment in which the press has a greater role to play.
His statement reads, “you are all conscious of the fact that Oyo State is the central nerve of the political activities in the South Western part of Nigeria. I therefore want to appeal to the gentlemen of the press to exercise caution such that information given to the good people of Oyo State will be balanced and unbiased”.
Speaking further, the OYSIEC boss hinted that the newly registered political parties will also be accommodated.
The election which had earlier been fixed for February 2017 was cancelled due to court injunction.
Reacting to the development shortly after the press briefing, the State Chairman of Conference of Political Parties, Alhaji Yinka Olona described the decision as a welcome development, urging the electoral umpire, OYSIEC to create a level playing field for all the political parties during the election.
Also, the PDP spokesperson, Engineer Akeem Olatunji said the seriousness and sincerity of the electoral umpire will determine the party’s participation in the election.
