By Mayowa OlumuyiwaOndo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, has directed that Friday August 21, 2020 be observed as a work-free day.
This directive is to enable residents of the State have adequate time to prepare for the Local Government Election scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2020.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, quoted Governor Akeredolu as equally urging the electorate to freely exercise their voting rights just as he called on them to shun violence during the exercise.
The statement reads, “As we are all aware, the Local Government Election scheduled for Saturday August 22, 2020 is yet another opportunity for the citizens of Ondo State to avail themselves of the chance of democratic participation.
“This is particularly imperative in view of the importance of that tier of government as the closest to the grassroots. We cannot therefore, afford to take less advantage of this golden opportunity not only to deepen our democratic structures but to equally decide our leadership contents for optimum development drive.
“In this regard, Mr. Governor has directed that Friday, August 22, be declared a work-free for workers to enable them prepare adequately for the local government election.
“Governor Akeredolu, while urging all citizens of the state to take maximum advantage of the election to freely exercise their rights, enjoins all to shun violence before, during and after the exercise.ative in view of the importance of that tier of government as the closest to the grassroots. We cannot therefore, afford to take less advantage of this golden opportunity not only to deepen our democratic structures but to equally decide our leadership contents for optimum development drive.”
He further stated; “In this regard, Mr. Governor has directed that Friday, August 22, be declared a work-free for workers to enable them prepare adequately for the local government election.”
He however rounded off by saying, “Governor Akeredolu, while urging all citizens of the state to take maximum advantage of the election to freely exercise their rights, enjoins all to shun violence before, during and after the exercise.”
It would be recalled that the Ondo Local governments’ elections were earlier scheduled to hold in April this year but was hampered due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic that struck at the period.
Meanwhile, a few political observers expressed mix feelings on the transparency of the process, noting that it may just be a means of testing the waters for the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in winning the October 10 governorship election.
Consequently, some political parties like the PDP, ZLP among others have boycotted participating in the LG polls scheduled for Saturday.
