Politics
PETITION AGAINST A BREACH OF PROVISIONS OF 2022 ELECTORAL ACT BY MR OLAJIDE ADEDIRAN OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
PETITION AGAINST A BREACH OF PROVISIONS OF 2022 ELECTORAL ACT BY MR OLAJIDE ADEDIRAN OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
With due regards Sir, I have the pleasure of the governing board of the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) to intimate you with this civil society organization which is at the vanguard of advocating for accountability and good governance through civilized means of engagement.
Mr. Chairman Sir, we wish to bring to your notice for appropriate action, a clear breach of provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and publicly published INEC election guidelines by a candidate and his political party, which is capable of undermining the sanctity of our electoral process and endangering national security which deserves to be urgently dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Sir, on Friday 12th of August 2022, we watched in awe on a national television station (Arise TV), how Mr Olajide Adediran the Lagos State PDP governorship candidate and his deputy Ms Funke Akindele of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Bankole Wellington aka Banky W, a house of representatives candidate of the party and others flagrantly violated the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act through engaging in political campaigns by canvassing voters in contravention of section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act and published INEC election guidelines via a commemorative documentary on the occasion of the 2022 International Youth Day.
According to section 94 (1) of the 2022 Electoral Act, “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day”.
In view of the above provision of the 2022 Electoral Act and in obeisance to the publication of the 2022 Election guidelines by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which has scheduled Gubernatorial and States House of Assembly elections campaigns to hold between October 12 2022 – March 9 2023, we are of the strong view that Mr Olajide Adediran and Ms Funke Akindele, the Lagos State governorship and deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Banky W. and others, have wilfully and flagrantly violated the provisions of the 2022 Electoral law and INEC guidelines by engaging in political campaigns on 12th August 2022, well ahead of the official commencement date for gubernatorial and house of representatives elections campaigns as stipulated by the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, therefore, they must be made to face the consequences as prescribed by law.
Chairman Sir, our concern with the obvious breach of the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC published guidelines by Mr Olajide Adediran and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stems from the fact that if this violation is not addressed according to law, it has the tendency to embolden other political parties and candidates to toe same line of lawlessness by disregard for the law of the land which is an invitation to anarchy.
We are very much aware that our youths are law abiding and patriotic citizens desirous of contributing their quota to our democratic process in a lawful manner and would not in anyway want to be associated with the act of irresponsibility and lawlessness exhibited by Mr. Olajide Adediran, Ms Funke Akindele, Mr Bankole Wellington aka Banky W and others and their party in the documentary on the commemoration of the 2022 International Youth Day.
Mr. Chairman Sir, our democracy can only be deepened if all the stakeholders play according to the rules at all times. Therefore, it is incumbent on the commission to investigate and take appropriate action according to law against this contravention of the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and the commission’s published election guideline, so as to maintain the dignity and sanctity of our electoral process as well as engender national security.
We also want it placed on record that the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a responsibility to take a firm stand in averting a reoccurrence of this breach of the 2022 electoral Act by admonishing media organizations and other communication platforms to be responsible and focused on the provisions of the law and not be a medium or accomplices for acts which violate our constitution, undermine democracy and endanger national security if all political parties and candidates toe the same line of lawlessness like Mr Adediran and others from his political party.
Sir, please find attached with this petition for your consideration, a copy of the evidence of the contravention of the 2022 Electoral Act and the Commission’s election guideline by Mr Olajide Adediran and others of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State as aired on a national television station on the 12th of August, 2022.
Mr. Chairman, please accept the compliments of our high regards as we await appropriate action on this petition.
*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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