LG polls: ODIEC releases candidates’ lists
LG polls: ODIEC releases candidates’ lists
… 13 parties to participate
By Jubril Bada & Adekola Afolabi
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Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC, yesterday released the final lists of chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the April 18 local government elections in the state.
The list signed by the chairman of the commission, Prof. Yomi Dinakin were displayed at the commission’s headquarters in Akure and its area offices across the 18 local government areas.
Dinakin declared that candidates of 13 political parties were screened for the positions of chairmanship and councillorship.
The list of chairmanship candidates showed that seven political parties will participate in the chairmanship election, while the remaining six will take part in the councillorship poll.
According to our investigation, the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the African Action Congress, AAC, the Action Democratic Party, ADP, the Action Party, AP and Action Alliance, AA made the list of political parties fielded candidates for the chairmanship position.
The APC fielded candidates into the positions of chairmanship and councillorship in all the 18 councils and 203 wards respectively.
Also the ADC fielded six candidates for the chairmanship position , SDP (5), AAC (6), ADP (3), AP (1) and AA (1).
The list of candidates and their political parties displayed by the commission for the chairmanship position include Kayode Aroloye APC, Idanre; Bankole Akinselure, SDP, Idanre and Sunday Olamiti, ADP, Idanre.
In Ondo East, Wale Akinkuotu (APC), Wale Akinlosotu (ADC) and Oriola Akinwonmi (AAC)
Ondo West had Ebenezer Akinsulire as APC, Wole Oloyede (AAC) and Ola Akinola (ADC).
The list for lle-Oluji/ Okeigbo had Dayo Akinsuroju as APC, Rotimi Akinwamide (ADC) and Ebenezer Akintomide (AAC) while Odigbo had only APC fielding Margaret Akinsuroju as its candidate.
In Okitipupa, Igbekele Akinrinwa ( APC), Oladipupo Akinyemi (AAC) and Davies Ajana (AP).
The list also had the following candidates in llaje: Goke Ojatuase (APC), Omololu Ayantuga ( AAC), Dehinbo Shaheyi ( AA) and Ajinde Arowosola (ADC),while lrele had Segun Ajimotokin as only APC candidate contesting for the position of chairman in the council.
In Ese-Odo, Folawe Sipasi-Aluko (APC) and Gbenga Iji (SDP).
Also in Akure South, Gbenga Olaniyi (APC) and Gbenga Fasua (SDP).
In Akure North, Bankole Ogbesetore (APC)and Akinola Olaleye (SDP).
On the list for Owo, Samuel Adegbegi (APC), Ajayi Abiodun (ADP), while Ose had Adekunle Denis as APC candidate in the council.
Akoko Southeast had Adurogboye Paul (APC) and Adesina Austine ( ADC).
In Akoko Southwest, Augustine Oloruntogbe (APC), Ojo Peter (ADC) and Asho Azeez (ADP).
Akoko Northeast had Omojola Adekunle (APC), while Akoko Northwest had Akinkoluwa Olugbenga (AAC), Akande Ayodele (APC) and Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo (SDP).
In lfedore, Akinyemi Oladimeji (APC) only candidate participating in the poll.
Reacting, the State Acting Chairman of ADC, Chief (Mrs.) Tokunbo Saka- Adetoro expressed satisfaction with the thorough display of the list which she said contained all the candidates of the party to participate in the election.
She assured that all the candidates of the party fielded for the position of chairman in six councils would be victorious at the poll.
Speaking on their preparedness and readiness to coast home to victory at the polls, the Ondo state chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin and the state chairman of one of the leading opposition political parties, the Social Democractic Party (SDP), Chief Korede Duyile, explained that their parties have been working assiduously to ensure victory at the poll.
According to Adetimehin, the APC is already on the field and has also directed all its members and supporters across the state to go back to their units, wards and local government areas to canvas for votes to ensure overwhelming victory for the party in April 18 chairmanship/councillorship election.
“All our candidates are on the field and I can tell you that we are fully prepared for the local government election.
“As I’m talking to you now, I’m on the field campaigning door -to -door. We are sure of victory because what the APC government led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has done in the past three years to develop Ondo state are enough for our party to campaign and win overwhelmingly,” the APC chairman said.
The chairman noted that the numerous achievements of the APC led administration in the state would speak for the party and ensure its victory at the poll.
According to him, governor Akeredolu has performed excellently well in terms of road construction and rehabilitation, industrial development, Healthcare delivery, improved welfare of citizens through people’s oriented projects, regular payment of salaries and pensions, construction of schools, youth empowerment and employment, agricultural development, and overall development of the state.
“Also, we believe that workers deserve their wages, and we have been paying them regularly while not also denying them their promotions and other entitlements. We have also employed people more than the previous governments.
“We employed young people into the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and into the mainstream as Administrative Officers,” Adetimehin explained.
On his part, the state Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Mr. Remi Olayiwola, said the party is more than ready and prepared for the election.
According to him, victory is sure for the SDP come April 18 council poll, adding that the party has fielded formidable and popular chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the poll.
“We are working in all the political wards, and we are seriously campaigning for all our chairmanship/ councillorship candidates. We are working very hard, our candidates are very formidable and popular.
“We are not taking anything for granted and we believe we will win the election,” Olayiwola added.
Comrade Akingbola Temidayo Feyisara
09th Apr 2020It is imperative to inform the public that the incumbent leadership of Ondo-State Indepedent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) because it is dependent, partisan and lacks modicum of electoral know-how therefore, not capable to conduct free,fair,just and credible election in the State, It’s build-up is short of electoral standard attainable in Nigeria and International level. Irreversibly, it did not comply with the Electoral Act 2010 and, as Amended enshrined in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution and,Amended.
The present ODIEC modus operandi is fully-loaded withidentified irregularities from assumption of office . First and foremost,Professor Yomi Dinakin, Dean of Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, ODIEC Chairman, is a card carrying member of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ward 2, Alade-Idanre. Also, Mr.Abayomi Adelakun, ODIEC Commissioner of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Council, is equally a card carrying member of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ile-Oluji He had earlier contested for the Chairmanship position of the same Council, under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) but, was eventually schemed out the race while his wife, Mrs Adelakun is the incumbent Ward 3 Women Leader of the APC in Ile-Oluji which contravened the statutory of non-partisanship and neutrality of Election Umpires.And,it cuts across the 18 local government council.
Further, there was am improper issuance and service of Notice of Election by ODIEC. The Timetable circulated carried No Name, No Stamp, No Signature, No Date and Specicific Name of the Addresse. Digging deep into the morass, ODIEC 2020 Election Guidelines are without specific Reference Dates or, Timelines. It is indeed a “blanket Guidelines”. Notably, conduct of parties’ primaries are inconclusive due to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sudden and mendacious announcement of deregistration of 74 political parties . Also, publication of ODIEC in the State Government Newsprint, “the Hope”, disrupted the collection and submission of Forms CF001, CF002 and EC4. The publication stated that”ODIEC will only allow registered political parties recognized by INEC to participate in election. Threafter, in Justice Anwuli Chikere of Federal High Court, Abuja’s pronouncement on immediate reversal to the previous status quo by INEC was crystally clear but,ODIEC deliberately decided to disenfranchise some assumed strong oppositions till date.
Consequently, Campaign Timelines was affected by the ambigious decisiion of the Commission, verification of Candidates timeline, guidelines and rules, had been grossly-violated. ODIEC Guidelines provide that “representatives of the political parties shall be allowed as Observers but, was manipulated to accommodate selfish agenda of election rigging which had almost been accomplished without challenge. Few weeks to the kangaroo election, there is No Update of Voters Register Review for the election where the youth who have attained eighteen (18) years and eligible to vote, are deprived their constitutional right. Somehow, scanty voters’ sheets emerged from blues, last Saturday. This primary point in election process was avoided to achieve the imposition of misfits to cover up the bad track of fiscal misappropriation,mismanagement and financial recklessnes in the State and Local Councils.
Outbreak and rapid spread of contagious Corina Virus-19 (COVID-19), has reached a fever pitch. And, this has compelled the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and States government to issue precautions and warnings. As a necessity that Nigerians must avoid mass gathering or, convergence of whatever form, indefinitely.As part of the observation of the precautionary measure, Fedewral legislator; Senators, House of Representative members and State Assemblies membershurriedly-proceeded on vacation toavoid the Corona Virus Deficiency-19. In the same vein, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and tertiary institutions were ordered to be shut down, indefinitely in Ondo-State and other counterpart States. Even, churches, mosques, political parties rallies, and meetings, “owambe” parties were banned.
Due to ulterior motives and impregnateds desire of rigging to impose surrogates on the local government councils, will not be allowed Because, Sunshine people had been degraded and dehumanised in the hands of “godfathers” and “goddes-mothers” who cannot make forrader in governance. Though APC is factionalised till date and the survival of the aggrieved section is yet to be determined by the law court.Eversince, the emergence of the APC in Ondo-State, masses are at the mercy of extreme blantant and systemic greediness: failed contracts, non-availability of infrastructures, teeming youth unemployment and empowerment, power failure, non-payments of legitimate retirees pensions, engagement of family and friends as tax and revenue maangers,opaque accounting system, administrative redundancy, scarcity of food, constitutional Rights denials and violations haphazardly inflict more hardship and pains on our people.They are quite sure that free, fair, just and credible eletion at the grassroots will expose them and brings about correction in the imperfections and rule of fiefdom.
Comrade AKINGBOLA TEMIDAYO (ANIJ)
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
Ondo-State Chapter.
Comrade Akingbola Temidayo Feyisara
09th Apr 2020ODIEC: NOT QUALIFY TO CONDUCT CREDIBLE ELECTION -SCENE 2
I reiterate that the current ODIEC lacks the expertise, credibility and integrity to conduct free,fair,just and credible election to the 18 Local Government Councils in Ondo-State.
Reference to the recent PRESS RELEASE of MR.ROTIMI OLURUNFEMI,Head of Media and Publicity of ODIEC, published in THE NATION Newspaper of MONDAY,APRIL 6,2020 and I quote:ONDO COUNCIL POLL NOT CANCEL as the Rider, And,it was stated thus,” the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) and other partners that should train its workers and Adhoc workers had shut down their offices due to the outbreak of Corona Virus”;
In futherance,the Statement also reads:”The Commission assures of its readiness to start the proceedings,again within the shortest period of time,as soon as there is an improvement in the situation,as we await further directives on the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it…..bla bla bla.
It wouldn be a remiss of menot pointing out that this is also an opportunity for our people to engage in deep retrospection on the booby-trap called ODIE Electoral process.
First and foremost,through MR.ROTIMI OLORUNFEMI’s Press Statement, it is evident that ODIEC as an electoral body,has NO Certified Worker that had pass through the Independent National Electoral Commission Training Institute in Abuja,as a constituted arm of INEC at the State level.Invitation and budgetary allocation for of IFES and other partners amounts to financial recklessness andmismanagement. That normal Democratic Training at INEC Training Office in Abuja sometimes,spans for at least two(2) to Three(3) monthsn while the sham training will take justtwo(2) or, Three(3) Days.An undue opportunity of creating jobs for Family and Friends at the expense of the millions of Unemployed Youths in Ondo-State.
Secondly, the quoted second(2nd) Statement exposed and indicated that Ondo-State Indepedent Electorral Commission (ODIEC) is dependent thus, agreed and accepted our constructive criticism about the FLAWED PRE-ELECTION PROCESS that was characterized with highest degree of manipulation ever register in the Electoral history of Ondo-State.
Before now, it had been established that ODIEC Headquaters, Oba-Ile Road, Akure and each Local Government Council Headquarters remains, the Annex and Extension of the ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (apc) NAD GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS,ALAGBAKA, as card carrying members of APC like: PROFESSOR YOMIN DINAKIN was imposed as the ODIEC Chairman and others sneaked in as Commissioners at the Headquarters and the Local Government Councils in the 18 Areas.and, they are contestants in various State and Federal Elections in the State,
This non-challant and subversion attitude made MR. BIYI POROYE, Ondo-Stae Chairman of MEGA PARTY OF NIGERIA(MPN) challenged Professor Yomi Dinakin on Non-Review and Availability of Voter Register as at when due. This is culled from: NIGERIA GUARDIAN of 9th JANUARY,2020 Therein, requested for his Resignation.In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was forced to withdraw her participation in the slated Council Poll.
We will not fold our hands, for some people to oplunge our society into moral and political crisis. Consequent upon thsi, we will contest and resist any form of imposition at the Local Government Cpouncils, orchestrated by the discredited Ondo-State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) through peaceful streets protest and Court action. The calculated attempts waqs to do “patch-patch election”, announce tailored Election Results and request aggrieved Political Parties to go to the another suborned “Election Petition Tribunals” who will frustrate the Aspirants and make them to jettison their mandates in the face of Judicial Bureaucracy; several Adjournments,motions filling and technical knock-outs of Petitions that will gulp several millions of Naira by the Legal Representations who might not be versed with the process.
Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu must disband the current ODIEC Board, now because we can never trust them.
Comrade AKINGBOLA TEMIDAYO (ANU)
Ondo-State Chairman,
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Nigeria.
Associate Editor,
NEWSLINAGE Newspaper, Akure