The Chairman of Ogun State Independent electoral Commission, OGSIEC, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu has allayed fears of Political Parties in the state against the background that the coming Local Government Elections in the State would be selection rather than election.
Osibodu, stated this at the Stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at the June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto,Abeokuta.
Represented by one of the Commissioners at OGSIEC, Mr. Tunji Akoni, Osibodu reiterated the Commission’s commitment to conducting “an election that is not only free, fair and credible but also setting a benchmark in the history of Ogun State and Nigeria”.
"The election is scheduled to be held on November 16, 2024.
"OGSIEC as part of measures to ensure a free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral process, during the meeting released Electoral Guidelines and Timetable for the 2024 Local Government elections.
“We are guided by section 197(1)(b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which established the State Independent Electoral Commission and section 14(1) and 15(e) of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (as amended) which empowers the Commission to oversee all Local Government Council elections in the state” he stated.
The Chairman urged all stakeholders to channel their efforts towards gaining political power at the grassroots level, appealing to aspirants to take the guidelines and stipulations seriously throughout the electioneering period.
While fielding questions from the audience, he said “the Commission will supervise all party primaries. We will be physically present. Any shortchanged candidate at any ward level can walk into our offices to complain.
“We shall involve the media and be transparent throughout the electoral process. No candidate shall be discriminated against. As campaign commences from August 9, 2024, I want to advise all political parties to please campaign and let the electorate know you”.
In his remark, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiu Hazmat appealed to all stakeholders and aspirants to help in the democratic process and avoid heating up the polity.
In his goodwill message, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba kehinde Olugbenle, represented by the Aboro of Ibese, Oba Rotimi Mulero, emphasized the traditional institution’s support for all political parties, admonishing all aspirants and stakeholders to support OGSIEC towards ensuring a smooth democratic process.
Meanwhile, the Inter-party Advisory Council ( IPAC), Ogun State Council has passed a vote of no confidence on the State Independent Electoral Commission ( OGSIEC) in conducting free and fair local government elections scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
The Chairman of the body, Mr Sanyaolu Abayomi spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting to release guidelines for the election held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital.
He said OGSIEC over the years has shown to be working for the ruling party whereby results are written instead of voting .
Sanyaolu therefore noted that with the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, political parties are ready to compete.
He noted that since the assumption of the office of the current leadership of IPAC, OGSIEC has failed to meet with them.
Also speaking, the State Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Yinka Ola-Williams urged OGSIEC to do everything possible to convince political parties that the election would be free and fair.
He said ” There should be voters’registration which is very important to this election”.
The Chairman of National Rescue Movement, Mr Olujobo Ezekiel has warned the OGSIEC not to see the coming local government elections as business as usual.
He disclosed that during the last local government elections, where he was a candidate, he was robbed at his own polling unit.
Olujobo appealed to the electoral umpire to be transparent and fair, cautioning OGSIEC to stay above board.
His words: ” The last elections in 2021, we saw what happened, don’t let us mince words, no free and fair election when it comes to OGSIEC, I was part of the candidates and I know how I was robbed in front of me and the videos are evident till today, are we doing election or selection because we need to clear ourselves because there is no need of wasting money to print posters” .
“Are we doing the right thing, hope somebody will not sit down in the office and write names or else the protest that will follow will be more than what is going on, I bet it with you . Nobody is ready to lose his or money now in Nigeria with the way things are. Please, if we want to do the same thing, there is no need for this stakeholders meeting. Hope it is not the same thing, we are about to do it again?”.
Present at the stakeholders’ meeting were representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers and political parties, Non-governmental bodies,civil society organizations, among others.
.jpg)
0 Comments