•charges OSSIEC not to succumb to blackmail on the exercise
Osun state chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday described the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged move to truncate the conduct of the local government election scheduled for next month as a “joker of the year, which can never see the light of the day.”
The party chairman, Dr Tosin Odeyemi disclosed this in a statement and cautioned the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) against succumbing to blackmail over the forthcoming elections.
According to him,” We observed a campaign of calumny aimed at disrupting the February 22, 2025, local government polls in the state and OSIEC should remain focused and proceed with the election. It is only an enemy of the state will because of selfish interest, make an attempt to stop the planned election.
“I was surprised to see so many things flying around on social media recently about next month’s poll.
“Why would anybody wait till this moment before raising any objection to the poll or its handlers? We have been showing concerns about the way the ruling party in the state has been spending our collective money.
“Any reasonable person in Osun would know that OSIEC has committed a lot to this election. Our party, together with other political parties in the state, APC inclusive, held a meeting with OSIEC some months ago where we all passed a vote of confidence on the Hassim Abioye-led commission.
“Pictures don’t lie. The representative of All Progressives Congress was there raising no objection to the move. He was there throughout the meeting in acceptance of all that we did that day.
“Why making moves that can jeopardise the process now? We all clamoured for local government autonomy, how are we going to experience it when some people are planning to stop the poll?
“Things are not going well at the grassroots in Osun since state governors hijacked its administration, now that we are hopeful of having democratically elected people at the local level, some are planning to send us back to square one. No way.
“Also, the Commission has expended a huge amount of state’s resources on the preparation of the council poll since last year January, hence, the need to see it to the end”.
Odeyemi however called on OSSIEC not to be deterred from putting everything in order and ensuring a free and fair local government election in the state.
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