Posted by By MOSHOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta, GABRIEK DIKE Osogbo and SEYE OJO, Ibadan on
The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission(OYSIEC), Barrister Olaleye Olasunkanmi, has said that there is no going back on the conduct of local government elections in Oyo State tomorrow in spite of threats by some political parties to boycott the poll.
The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission(OYSIEC), Barrister Olaleye Olasunkanmi, has said that there is no going back on the conduct of local government elections in Oyo State tomorrow in spite of threats by some political parties to boycott the poll.
He told Daily Sun in his office that all arrangements have been made and that the number of parties that are ready to participate in the election are enough representatives of the majority.
According to him, a total of 16 political parties have registered with his commission and tomorrow the election will be conducted across the 33 councik areas of the state.
The parties that are ready for the polls as Barrister Olasunkanmi revealed are; AC, APGA, AD, PDP,RPN, AA, NNPP, NPJ, DPP, NSDP, UNPP, NCP, LP, PRP, DPA and NDP.
Meanwhile political parties in Osun State held a brainstorming session in Osogbo on the need for peace in the coming local government elections on Saturday, December 15.
The parley organized by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) attracted key stakeholders from the traditional institution, security agencies, government and political parties.
Speaking at the occasion, Oba Ibrahim Bamigbade, the Eburu of Iba told politicians to give peace a chance before, during and after the council polls.
Speeking,Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola commended the CNPP for the initiative, adding that peace was not negotiable in any state desirous of progress.
He reminded politicians that in every contest, a winner was bound to emerge while others should be sportsmanly in defeat.
Oyinlola added that he was happy that all political parties in the state were cooperating with OSSIEC to have a hitch-free local government election on Saturday.
However, amidst fears that tomorrow election in Remo North Council Area of Ogun State would be marred with violence, the chairmanship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), John Obafemi has assured that the election would be violence-free.
It would be recalled that the son of a prominent son in Isara, the council's headquarters met his untimely death while leading a group of restive youths to burn down the Police Divisional Headquarters in the ancient town last August.
Obafemi who is seeking a second term under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke with journalists shortly after Justice Tokunbo Olopade of an Abeokuta High Court dismissed the application for an injunction of the opposition political parties which include the Action Congress (AC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
He expressed delight at the ruling of the court saying it was the best for democracy in the state. 'We asked for democracy and we got it. I don't understand why some people will want to destroy it. If they have what it takes to contest the election, they should go ahead instead of chasing shadows. We must all support this democracy instead of puling it down"
The former Council boss who also assured of a purposeful leadership if he wins in the tomorrow's election added that he would continue his open-door policy of administration which he said had made his administration the darling of the people.
He said he would consolidate on the previous achievements recorded in the last three years through his 'Agenda for the Next Level" and assured the security of live of property in the council area.
He said his programme of action is encapsulated in a 5-point agenda which he said would be his guiding principle. They include Agriculture, Health, Education, Infrastructure and Employment generation and wealth creation.
He assured that he would improve on existing infrastructures for qualitative education, good road networks, security and maintenance of clean environment for healthy living.
His words: 'Without doubt, any government with a policy to create jobs and employment will grow economically and socially. We were conscious of this and made efforts to create opportunities to employ and empower many of our youths and other able bodies people in our Area".
In her ruling, the Presiding judge, Justice Olopade dismissed the application saying that it was speculative on the part of the opposition parties as they had not taken any positive step to participate in the polls.
She said that the state electoral body was constitutionally empowered to conduct the election as the Ogun State Electoral Laws had not contravened the constitution saying the plaintiffs should have subjected themselves to the guidelines announced by OGSIEC before going to court.