Movement in Ogun is to be restricted today as voters in the state go to the polls to elect a new set of local government chairmen. “The restriction of movement will last from 8am to 3pm,” Adejuwon Soyinka, Special Assistant on Media to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, told News Express on phone last night.

The election is being conducted by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSEIC).

Ahead of the election, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) announced that it will be on hand to monitor the process as part of its commitment to promoting free, fair as well as effective and accountable management of election in the country.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by and signed by TMG Chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said: “TMG in collaboration with its members will deploy citizen observers across the twenty (20) LGAs in the State to observe the Election Day processes and conduct of the security and other stakeholders during the election.

“TMG commends the government and people of Ogun State for this laudable initiative and enjoin eligible voters to go out enmasse to exercise their franchise. We equally call on states who are yet to conduct local government elections to emulate Ogun State by making a prompt arrangement to do so and not resorting to governance by caretaker committees which has no constitutional backing. It is instructive to note that some of the developments that have opened up the country came after the local government reforms of 1976.

“The system of local governance by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed under section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. Though LGAs are the closest political units to the people and most important in Nigeria’s democracy, LGA elections have become the most constitutionally abused subject in Nigeria. Elections at this level have suffered setbacks, neglect and left at the whims and caprices of incumbent state governments who are making a mockery of the whole essence of bringing governance closer to the people as a mechanism for engendering development at the grassroots level.

“As the indigenes of Ogun head to the polls, we call on all stakeholders to take the local government elections as serious as other national or state elections in the country.

The State election management body should guarantee strict compliance to the Election Day Procedure and ensure early deployment of personnel and materials as we also call on the security personnel to be professional in their conduct while the election lasts.

“While appreciating the commitment of the security agency to the electioneering process, we also enjoin them to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to maintain law and order at the polling units.”

•Photo shows Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, addressing supporters of the ruing All Progressives Congress (APC) during one of the campaign rallies in Sagamu and Ijebu Ode areas of the state ahead of Saturday’s local government and local government development area election.

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