The Imole Campaign Council has appointed former Osun State Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Yemi Lawal, as Chairman of its newly established Election Surveillance and Voters Education Committee, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the campaign's grassroots operations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The appointment was announced following the reconstitution of the Imole Campaign Council approved by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, to accommodate prominent leaders who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Accord Party.
According to a statement issued by the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council and signed by its Chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the restructuring is designed to integrate the new entrants into key positions within the campaign council and deepen the party's preparations for the forthcoming governorship election.
As part of the reorganisation, the council created the Election Surveillance and Voters Education Committee, with Hon. Yemi Lawal appointed to lead its activities across the state.
Other members of the committee are Hon. Oyewole Rafiu Abayomi, Hon. Olawuni Felix Olugbenga, Hon. Adeyeye, Hon. Amos Akindiya, Hon. Jelili Danku, Barr. Akintayo Jimoh, Hon. Oyelakin and Hon. Ajibola Dada.
Accepting the appointment, Lawal described the responsibility as "a call to duty, a call to service, and a call to protect the sacred mandate of the good people of Osun State."
He expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the leadership of the Imole Campaign Council and the Accord Party for the confidence reposed in him, assuring that the committee would justify the trust through commitment, diligence and hard work.
Lawal said the committee would focus on two critical responsibilities: election surveillance and voter education.
On election surveillance, he disclosed that the committee would recruit, train and deploy vigilant polling agents across all 332 wards and polling units in the state's 30 local government areas. He added that real-time monitoring systems would also be established to detect, document and report any attempt to undermine the will of the electorate.
He further stated that the committee would work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and relevant stakeholders to promote a free, fair and credible electoral process.
Speaking on voter education, Lawal said the committee would embark on extensive grassroots sensitisation campaigns in markets, schools, motor parks and communities to educate residents on Permanent Voter Card collection, voting procedures and the importance of peaceful participation in the election.
According to him, no eligible voter should lose the opportunity to vote because of inadequate information.
"Elections are won and lost at the polling unit. That is why we will start from the grassroots and pay special attention to communities where every single vote matters," he said.
Lawal urged members of the committee to regard their appointment as an opportunity to serve the people rather than a privilege, stressing that integrity, discipline and teamwork would be the guiding principles of the committee.
He also appealed to youths, women and first-time voters to actively participate in the democratic process by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards and voting peacefully on August 15.
Maintaining that the Adeleke administration had demonstrated that governance could genuinely improve the lives of citizens, Lawal said the forthcoming election presents an opportunity for Osun people to sustain the progress recorded under the current administration.
"I accept this nomination with all my heart. By God's grace and with your support, we will deliver a peaceful, transparent and victorious election for Governor Ademola Adeleke and for Osun State," he declared.
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, congratulated the newly appointed members of the council and expressed confidence that their experience, capacity and commitment would strengthen the campaign and contribute significantly to the party's success in the August 15 governorship election.
