The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji, has again appealed to politicians and political parties who feel aggrieved about electoral issues not to resort to social media as the doors of the Commission are always open.

The Osun INEC REC made this known on Tuesday during the Omoluabi Convergence, an initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Osun State chapter, held to brainstorm with gubernatorial candidates towards a peaceful Osun 2022 gubernatorial election.

Prof. Raji, while blaming politicians and political parties for their refusal to cooperate with INEC, also called on political parties to confront the electoral umpire rather than resort to the social media.

In his words, “If I use social media, I will use it to advance myself and to aid in conducting a free, fair, inclusive, and conclusive election and not to discredit or discuss or spread hate speech, information that is unfounded, or to fight anyone."

“Our office is open to everyone and I can be approached anywhere." We can always talk in order to advance peace, so that this election will be peaceful. "

Speaking on the theme of the convergence: “Sustaining Our Values Beyond Elections”, the Osun REC revealed that because of a decision to follow due process, the state was now conducting an off-cycle election.

He said, “At a point in time, somebody felt his mandate was stolen and he felt there was a need to follow due process.”