The outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has urged staff of the commission to ensure that the mandate of the electorate determines the outcome of elections.
Agboke gave the charge during his farewell address at a handover ceremony held in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He cautioned staff against allowing themselves to be used for any form of malpractice, stressing the importance of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, “electoral officials must always reassure voters that their votes will count. INEC is constitutionally mandated to ensure credible elections.
“Always assure the voters that their votes would definitely count because INEC as a body is created by law to make votes count at all times.”
Agboke who warned that any process that determines election winners outside the will of the electorate would undermine democratic values and increase voter apathy advised staff to uphold the ethics of their profession and resist undue influence, reminding them of the consequences of compromising their integrity.
“Any other thing determining the winner of an election would not only be antithetical to democratic values but increase apathy in the political space.
“I leave you all to uphold the ethics of your profession. Do not be susceptible in any manner. Remember, if you are used, eventually you would be dumped,” Agboke stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, the outgoing Commissioner expressed appreciation to staff for their cooperation and acknowledged varying perceptions about his leadership style and emphasised his commitment to due process and credible elections, insisting that he would maintain the same principles under any circumstance.
“To some, Agboke was too tough. To others, too soft. Whatever perception you have, it was all in the name of instilling the spirit to do the right thing.
“I made it a duty to emphasise due process and votes being counted. If I die today and resurrect, it is the same method I will adopt,” he said.
Agboke also thanked stakeholders for their contributions to the electoral process in the state and called for continued collaboration to sustain credible elections.
The Osun INEC Administrative Secretary, Mrs Victoria Temitayo Adelusi in her remark described Dr Agboke as an administrator which transformed the Commission in the state.
She commended him for being exceptional during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR in the state.
She also revealed that due to his work ethics, Osun has continuously ranked third in the country with regards to the CVR exercise
“INEC Osun State will miss your presence and also take pride in knowing your legacy in the state will be ensuring. We thank you for your sacrifice and commitment to the ideal of the Commission,” she added.
She added that INEC being a family wished Dr Agboke success in his efforts to work towards fulfilling the Commission’s mandate.
DAILY POST recalled that Dr Agboke assumed duty in November, 2022 as the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and was last Wednesday redeployed to Ondo State.
