Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Preparatory to the local government elections scheduled for February next year, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, thursday charged the newly inaugurated board of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to be fair and objective in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities.
Obaseki, who gave the charge at the inauguration of the board at the Government House in Benin City, said he decided to retain some former members of the board in view of their wealth of experience coupled with the daunting task ahead.
The governor emphasised his administration mission to build credible institutions, which according to him, is critical to sustaining democratic principles, particularly the conduct of local government elections, on which the democratic structure rest.
He said: “The whole purpose of reforms in democratic tradition is to build institutions that will sustain democracy. Local government elections which happen at the grassroots are the bases and foundation on which our democratic system rests.
“As usual, we will like to be the leading light in the country in consolidating our democratic experience. I trust that with the chairman and the calibre of the board members, they will not only do Edo State proud, but will also discharge their responsibilities judiciously.â€
Responding on behalf of the board, the Chairman of EDSIEC, Prof. Stanley Orobator, assured the governor that the board would do its best to deliver on its responsibility and make the state proud.
Orobator who said though the task ahead is challenging, however, noted that the board members are committed to deepening the democratic process.
Other members of the EDSIEC board include Mrs. Ododo Odaro and Kingsley Avanrenren, Austin Agbator, Emmanuel Ehiabhi, Asif Usman and Jonathan Anierua.
