ABEOKUTA– A journalist with Fresh FM, Abeokuta, Emmanuel Oke has taken to his social media handle to apologize to Ogun state citizens over what he described as ‘shambolic’, the local government election held in the state on Saturday.
Oke, who had canvassed the residents of the state to come out em masse for the election, with the believe that the election would be credible, free, and fair was however surprised at the turn of events.
He added that despite the outcome, he will continue to toll same line, hoping that one day, “we would get it right”.
His words, ” This morning I want to apologise to our listeners. I say my heartfelt apologies from the bottom of my heart to every citizen of Ogun State
“I apologise for raising your hopes. Between 8th August and November 16, I raised your hopes of a credible local government election.
“I lent my voice. I asked you to come out en masse to vote the candidate of your choice. You listened to me. You came out
“But most of you could not vote. You endured the trek, thirst, and harsh weather
“You waited for election materials and officials until your body and souls grew weary
“And you endured again the agonising trek back home with a dash of hope and unfulfilled purpose.
“Now, I honestly don’t know whether you were intentionally disenfranchised or the elections were poorly planned.
” I also cannot honestly say whether you were disenfranchised by the high and mighty eventual winners of the botched process or by the electoral body.
“With the financial autonomy granted to local governments, I raised your hopes of being part of the process of selecting your leaders
” I apologise not because I was responsible for what happened on Saturday
“But because I asked you to come out and you did. I apologise because no one else will apologise to you
” I also apologise because by the next elections, local or general, I will ask you to come out again even though your hopes might be dashed again
“I apologise because I won’t give up. We will keep trying
“We will keep repeating the cycle until we get it right and pass a working system to the next generation.
“Please accept my apology this morning”
