2027: Reject vote-buying, SAN, INEC urge Ogun residents

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the Ilese Development Council, Kunle Kalejaye, has called on residents of Ilese and neighbouring communities in Ogun State to shun vote-buying and actively participate in the electoral process, describing the ballot as the most potent instrument for demanding good governance.

Kalejaye made the call on Saturday during a Voters’ Education Summit organised by the Ilese Development Council with the theme, “Register Today: Decide Tomorrow – Empowering Ilese and Her Environs Towards Political Participation.”

The senior lawyer urged citizens to recognise the power of their votes and resist every attempt to exchange them for financial or material inducements.

He said, “The vote is your power to enforce and demand good governance. Do not mortgage your future by selling your vote. Choose leaders based on competence, integrity and their commitment to serving the people.

“Voting is a civic responsibility that remains the most effective means of electing credible leaders and holding public office holders accountable.”

He also urged all eligible residents to register as voters, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in elections to shape the future of their communities and the nation.

The summit brought together community leaders, electoral officials, security agencies, youth groups, women and other stakeholders to promote voter registration and encourage greater political participation.

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Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Feyijimi Ibiyemi, represented by the Head of Operations at the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state, Mr Joseph Omotiloye, stressed that voter registration remained the foundation of democratic governance.

Omotiloye urged all eligible Nigerians to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in elections.

Also speaking, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, represented by the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Ijebu Area Command, ACP Yusuf Wasiu, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after elections.

He urged citizens not to allow fear or intimidation to prevent them from exercising their constitutional rights, assuring them that the police would remain professional and impartial in protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.

Participants were also educated on voter registration procedures, the importance of safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards and the need to reject vote-buying, electoral violence and other forms of electoral malpractice.

The summit ended with a renewed commitment by community leaders and participants to mobilise eligible residents across Ilese and neighbouring communities to register, collect their PVCs and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy through informed political participation.