Politics
Osun LG Election: APC Members Protest Alleged Imposition Of Candidate
Osun LG Election: APC Members Protest Alleged Imposition Of Candidate
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Otan-Ile, Obokun East local council development area of Osun State, on Thursday, thronged the streets of the town to protest the alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate by some party leaders in the state.
The aggrieved party members, who trooped out in large numbers, said they were against the rejection of the current caretaker Chairman, Bello Saliu Bamidele, whom they claimed emerged the winner of the APC local government primary election before the results of the polls were upturned by those they described as “powerful people” in favour of another person.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the protesters said since the creation of the Obokun Local Government, Otan Ile had never produced a chairman.
They noted that despite their total commitment to the bid of the party, they were astonished by the decision of some party leaders to drop the name of their son, Bamidele, who emerged the winner of the primary and fraudulently exchanged it with the name of the person who they claimed couldn’t win his unit in both the governorship and local government primary elections.
They also threatened to renounce their memberships if the party leadership remains adamant to right the wrong.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, APC Chairman, Ward 008 in Otan-Ile, Isaac Akinleye, said they would do everything within their reach to take back their stolen mandate.
“We are here not to fight but to protest against the imposition of a candidate.
“We have come to register our grievances and would take back the power of the chairman that was stolen away from us because the APC party in Otan-Ile has really worked hard for the party but has never been represented in the Local government since its creation.
“The caretaker Chairman Saliu Bello who emerged winner in the primary election held in five towns under Obukun East LCDA won in three towns namely Imesi, Otan and Esaoke. Ilare and Esaodo did not take part in the voting process.
“A few days after the election the officials who came to conduct the primary election, the returning officer and CO made a U-turn in the results already declared, with strange figures, declared one Owoeye from EsaOke the winner.
“We want Saliu back because he is the authentic winner and if not, that means they want us out of the APC party.”
Echoing similar views, an Otan-Ile High Chief, Mrs Ajayi Folashade, said the ancient town has been denied the distribution of political appointments since its creation.
She said: “The reason for our protest is because in the whole of Obokun Local Government Area, we are being denied our rights even before we were divided. No representative of Otan-Ile has ever emerged as chairman, after the creation of Obokun East LCDA.
“Saliu was appointed as the caretaker chairman where he served for some months. The primary was conducted in three villages where Saliu emerged the winner, and the story was posted online.
“Three days later, they reposted online that Ilare and Esaoke who did not take part in the election declares Owoeye their winner.
“So we are here to say Saliu should be returned as the winner because if we are not given a Chairmanship position in Otan-Ile, there would be no APC. We are appealing to Mr Governor that we want Chairman in Otan-Ile
“Secondly, Saliu and Moruf were in charge of the caretaker, now they returned Moruf in Obokun , we don’t know the reason Saliu is being denied the position. Because without Saliu there would be no vote for Bola Tinubu in Otan-Ile.”
They urged the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to intervene in the matter.
The Osun APC had settled for Owoeye Samuel Abiodun as the party chairmanship candidate for the Obokun East local council development area on Monday.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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