By: Funmi Falae
In a remarkable display of civic responsibility, community leaders in Osi Ekiti, Dr. Femi Alabi and Dr. (Mrs.) Opeyemi Femi-Alabi, the Otunba Gbadega and Yeye Otunba Gbadega of Osi Ekiti, have mobilized residents of the town to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ido Ekiti.
The initiative provided free transportation for more than 100 residents to and from the registration center, an intervention aimed at breaking barriers that often hinder rural dwellers from accessing voter registration facilities located outside their immediate communities.
The gesture particularly benefited first-time voters, as well as individuals who had lost or damaged their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). By easing access, the Alabis ensured more residents could take advantage of the CVR process.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Aduloju Yemisi, APC Women Leader of Unit 9 in Osi Ekiti, hailed the initiative as a commendable act of leadership. She underscored the importance of voter registration, noting that it grants citizens the power to exercise their democratic rights.
“The Continuous Voter Registration is the first step for every eligible citizen to decide who governs them,” she said.
Mrs. Aduloju further appealed to INEC to ensure timely issuance of PVCs, stressing that without the cards, efforts to mobilize citizens would amount to nothing. She called on the commission to prioritize transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the exercise.
Other residents who benefited from the gesture expressed deep appreciation, saying the intervention gave them a sense of inclusion. Many noted that without the free transportation, financial challenges or distance would have prevented them from participating.
Speaking after the exercise, the Monarch of Osi Ekiti, HRM Oba Stephen Adegboyega Alabi, commended the Alabis for their commitment to the growth and development of the community describing them as dedicated children of Osi Ekiti who continually demonstrate concern for the welfare of the town.
The monarch also urged other sons and daughters of Osi Ekiti to emulate their example by initiating projects that would elevate the town to greater heights.
The mobilization has since been praised by community members and political stakeholders as a model of grassroots engagement, reflecting the growing awareness among local leaders of the need to empower citizens and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
