The Director-General, Ekiti State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship (BCOC), Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa, has urged residents of the state to shun voter apathy and turn out en masse to vote in the forthcoming governorship election.
Famuyiwa made the call during a one-day voter education and sensitisation programme organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ado-Ekiti.
She expressed concern over what she described as voter apathy in previous elections in the state, warning that indifference to the electoral process could undermine democratic development and deny citizens the opportunity to influence governance.
According to her, although Ekiti has a population of over three million people, voter registration and turnout figures recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in past election remain relatively low.
She said the situation underscored the need for intensified voter mobilisation and civic education to encourage eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the election.
Famuyiwa stressed that active participation in elections was essential for strengthening democracy, promoting accountability and ensuring that the will of the electorate prevailed.
The BCOC director-general added that the Ekiti State Government, under Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, had assured residents of a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the June 20 governorship election.
She reiterated the governor’s position that his re-election bid was not worth the blood of any citizen of the state.
Famuyiwa urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully and reject any act capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, credible and successful election.
Isa-Onilu, represented by the agency’s South-West Zonal Director, Mr Kehinde Ogunkuade, called on political parties, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and women associations to promote peace and civic responsibility.
He said the agency remained committed to educating citizens on their rights and responsibilities, noting that democracy thrived when citizens participated actively in governance through elections.
The NOA director-general urged political actors to accept the outcome of the election in good faith, adding that peaceful conduct before, during and after the poll would strengthen democratic institutions and preserve the sanctity of the electoral process.
According to him, political parties and their supporters must avoid actions capable of causing unrest, stressing that elections should not be regarded as a do-or-die affair.
“If you lose an election, accept it honourably. Democracy is about competition and respect for the will of the people. Violence and disorder only undermine the democratic process and the development of society,” he said.
In her remarks, the Ekiti State Director of NOA, Mrs Oluwakemi Akomolede, said the voter education programme was designed to ensure that citizens were adequately informed, prepared and motivated to discharge their civic responsibilities.
Akomolede described voting as a fundamental civic duty and urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
She also cautioned against vote buying and vote selling, describing both practices as threats to good governance.
“A vote is not just a piece of paper; it is your voice, your power and your right to choose leaders who will shape the future of Ekiti State and our country. We must rise above voter apathy and participate actively in the electoral process,” she said.
She further warned that vote trading thrived on an unethical exchange between those willing to buy votes and those willing to sell them, urging citizens to reject the practice in the interest of a better future for the state.
