The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has officially bid farewell to its outgoing Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju (SAN), along with other members of the Commission, at a send-forth ceremony organized in their honour.
The event, hosted by OYSIEC’s management team, provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and contributions of the outgoing team to the electoral development of Oyo State.
Governor Seyi Makinde had inaugurated the Olagunju-led Commission on September 3, 2020. Since then, the team has been at the helm of election administration in the state, successfully conducting two consecutive local government council elections.
These elections were widely described as credible, transparent, and peaceful, further strengthening the confidence of residents in the state’s electoral process.
Speaking at the event, Olagunju expressed profound appreciation to Governor Makinde for the trust and opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State.
He acknowledged the grace of God throughout his tenure and highlighted the importance of teamwork and dedication in achieving the Commission’s successes.
He remarked, “We thank God for His grace enjoyed over the past five years we have been on board.
“We conducted two successful local government council elections consecutively without any problems.
“The commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde to the development of the state is commendable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this process.”
Beyond words of gratitude, Olagunju also seized the occasion to call for reforms aimed at strengthening electoral institutions across the country.
He emphasized that credible elections cannot be achieved without the services of competent and specialized personnel.
He therefore recommended that electoral bodies like OYSIEC should have career officers who possess deep knowledge and expertise in election management, rather than being staffed through frequent redeployments from other ministries or agencies.
He noted, “Conducting credible elections demands the services of specialized personnel.
“There is a need for professionalization of careers for OYSIEC staff. Frequent transfers or deployment of OYSIEC staff to other ministries will be a big loss to the Commission.
“A staff of OYSIEC has special training and expertise in election management, which is wasted if transferred to another MDA.
“Electoral commissions are special institutions that demand professionalism, specialized training, and expertise to continually fulfill their mandates.”
Other outgoing members of the Commission also shared their reflections during the ceremony.
They expressed gratitude to the governor for finding them worthy of service and urged OYSIEC staff to remain committed to discipline, professionalism, and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
They further appealed to the staff to extend the same cooperation and loyalty to the incoming team in order to consolidate the gains already made in electoral reforms within the state.
In her own remarks, the Permanent Secretary of OYSIEC, Mrs. Abisola Ogunmola, praised the synergy and cordial working relationship that existed between the leadership of the Commission and its staff.
She attributed the successful operations of OYSIEC to this spirit of cooperation, noting that the dedication of the outgoing Chairman and members made her role as Permanent Secretary fulfilling.
She stated, “Your leadership and cooperation have really assisted me with the little achievements I have made during my stay here.
“The successes recorded by OYSIEC could not have been possible without the teamwork and the dedication of both staff and leadership.
“We appreciate your sacrifices, your unwavering commitment, and all that you have done. We wish you success in your future endeavors. Thank you, and God bless you.”
The send-forth event ended on a celebratory but emotional note, with tributes pouring in from staff and dignitaries who acknowledged the transformative role played by the outgoing leadership.
Their legacy, marked by credible elections and strengthened institutional capacity, was hailed as a foundation upon which the incoming leadership is expected to build.