Oyebanji excited as Nigerian govt’s validated ward boundary exercise begins in Ekiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has commended the federal government for selecting the state to represent all 17 southern Nigerian states in the Validated Ward Boundary and Harmonisation exercise.

Oyebanji gave the commendation on Monday while receiving a federal government delegation in the state to undertake the Validated Ward Boundary and Harmonisation Exercise in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, stated that his government had resolved many intra- and inter-state boundary disputes, which he said contributed to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

Oyebanji expressed excitement that Ekiti was chosen as the pilot state to represent the 16 other states in the southern part of the country.

Regarding the significance of the exercise, Oyebanji noted that it would resolve all issues previously encountered in ward boundary delineation and would form a document that could be applied to broker peace in other boundary issues nationally.

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He further explained that the exercise would help in validating all data previously captured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Population Commission (NPC), and the Geo-Referenced Infrastructure and Demographic Data for Development (GRID3).

“If data are wrongly or erroneously captured, it will definitely affect the outcome of our electoral process. Since the allocation of resources is sometimes distributed based on the existing wards in the nation, even and equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy to the citizens may also be jeopardized.

“As a government, we have made tremendous progress in resolving several intra-town, inter-town, and inter-local government boundary issues peacefully and amicably. We are happy with this exercise, and we shall cooperate with you,” he said.

In his address, the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Abduganiyu Adeyemi, stated that the exercise would help bridge the existing gap in the operations of international organizations in reaching the grassroots with their aid.

Adeyemi, represented by a senior official in his office, Mr. Azees Afeez, emphasized that grassroots development remains a core objective of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, adding that the exercise would help in actualizing this policy, especially now that local councils had been granted autonomy.

The Surveyor General also stated that the policy would provide a ward boundary delineation roadmap acceptable to all government agencies and international donors for their operations.

“It was agreed that two states should be piloted—Bauchi State in the North and Ekiti State in the South—but we are starting with Ekiti in the pilot scheme.

“We are seeking your cooperation so that we can make a success of this exercise for the greatness of our nation. We are here representing the federal government, and this exercise is not in any way political.”