• Ajayi vows to change Ondo ‘backwardness’ narratives within 10 months as gov
• Says Amotekun will be strengthened if elected
Ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged journalists to ensure factual and impartial reportage before, during, and after the poll.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, who cautioned the media against fake news, said that misinformation has the potential to incite unnecessary tension and violence.
Olumekun, who was represented by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a forum for reporters, producers, and on-air personalities facilitated by the Commission, stated that the media is essential to democracy and a democratic election is impossible without the media.
He said that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in INEC offices across the 18 local councils of the state would kick off today and close on October 29.
Olumekun further stressed that INEC, in collaboration with security agencies, had made adequate arrangements to ensure the safety of all participants in the election.
Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Biodun Amosun, said the workshop was designed to equip journalists with comprehensive information on the guidelines, processes, and procedures that will govern the upcoming election.
MEANWHILE, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has said that if elected as governor, he will change the narratives of the state for the better within the space of 10 months in office.
Ajayi, who expressed concern over what he described as the backwardness of the state, said that he is adequately prepared to govern the state.
He spoke, yesterday, during his campaign tour of Iju and Ita-Ogbolu communities and some other towns in Akure North Local Council of the state, saying that policies that would enhance the growth and development of the state had already been designed.
On his part, the Director-General of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Clement Faboyede, while addressing the residents of communities, charged them to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards to enable them to exercise their franchise in the November 16 election.
