The INEC Chairman has charged officials in Osun with failing to keep their neutrality oath.

By Ibekimi Oriamaja

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Chairman provides an update on the commission’s preparations for the state governorship election on July 12, 2022.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged electoral officials in Osun State to uphold their oath of neutrality in the governorship election scheduled for July 16.

The charge was issued by INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu in a statement signed on Friday, just hours before the start of the election in which the people of the state will decide who will govern them for the next four years.

“You must also uphold the Neutrality Oath that we have all agreed to.” “I am confident in your ability to build on our recent achievements,” Yakubu said.

“I implore you to uphold our Code of Conduct, to show your usual commitment and professionalism, to stay above board, and to vehemently oppose any unethical behavior.”

He also assured Osun voters that they will be safe during the election, saying that the commission is collaborating closely with security to achieve this goal.

The full statement can be found below:

MESSAGE FROM THE INEC CHAIRMAN TO THE STAFF

Osun State Governorship Election

July 16, 2022

We completed the Ekiti Governorship Election exactly 27 days ago, and it was widely regarded as free, fair, credible, and inclusive. The accomplishment was a joyful continuation of previous successes in Edo and Ondo States on September 15th and October 10th, 2020, respectively, and in Anambra State on November 6th, 2021. The Commission was able to achieve these lofty goals thanks to the sheer determination, resilience, and competence demonstrated by all of you, our staff members.

The governorship election in Osun State will take place on Saturday, as you are aware. I have assured our stakeholders and the people of Osun State that the Commission will not take sides in support or opposition to any political party or candidate. We have adequately prepared for the election. We promised a level playing field to everyone. We have been assured by security agencies that we will be safe.

The people of Osun State and Nigeria will understandably hold us to our word on election day. They will track our attitudes and behaviors from the start to the finish of the voting process. They will be watching how we handle election results and how strictly we adhere to existing laws at each stage of the electoral process.

I implore you to uphold our Code of Conduct, to show your usual commitment and professionalism, to stay above board, and to vigorously oppose any unethical behavior. You must also uphold the Neutrality Oath that we all agreed to. I am confident in your ability to build on our recent achievements.