Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State has pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission to make sure that Nigerians’ votes are counted in the upcoming elections.
When the governor got the letter informing him that he had won the Silverbird Communication Man of the Year Award, he made the call.
The election umpire must make sure that the results announced and the votes cast accurately reflect the will of Nigerians, he continued.
We want to take advantage of the fact that it is election season to request that INEC, the electoral umpire, accept all valid ballots. And when people cast their ballots, they should be counted and taken into account when determining the outcome, he added.
While commending the Silverbird management for the honour and the company’s impact on journalism in Nigeria, the governor said, “Silverbird has made an impact in the communication, journalism and electronic space. So, we know that you are not cheap and an award from Silverbird is a huge one. I did not have any difficulty in verbally accepting the award, because it is not a junk type of award.
“So, I want to thank the management of Silverbird and even the people of Nigeria, those people who participated in the voting.”