LG Elections: Osun APC Trying To Emotionally Blackmail Us But We’ll Not Be Distracted- OSSIEC
Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) on Friday accused the state APC of trying to emotionally blackmail the electoral body by raising allegations that are unfounded.
Recall that Osun State APC had in a statement issued by its state chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal on Thursday accused the electoral umpire of denying the party a level play field ahead of the local government elections scheduled to hold on February 22, 2025, while also alleging that OSSIEC has deliberately created obstacles for its candidates.
OSSIEC in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by Sadiat Isiaka not only denied the allegations but also submitted that it will not in any way get distracted.
‘The attention of the Information Unit of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has been drawn to a fallacious claim by a political party in Osun State that the Commission does not have a public relations unit, desk or officer.
We wish to reiterate that the Commission is not only a media- friendly organization, but also one that gets all stakeholders involved in all its activities. Since the inauguration of the present leadership at OSSIEC, its activities have been most transparent and open in line with global best practices. At no time has the Commission shut his doors against any individual not to talk of a political party or its accredited representative. All political parties are made to get involved both directly and through their recognized body, that is the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC).
Members of the public would be reminded that before the Commission issued timetable for the elections, all registered political parties in Osun State were invited and a press conference was held. Copies of the newspaper publication were given to all the political parties, so also copies of the guidelines and manual. Electronic copies of the timetable, the guidelines and manual were also circulated in the media, and they are still in circulation.
We wish to state further that when it was time for primary elections of political parties, the timetable was adjusted by extending the time for primary elections to allow for more inclusive participation of political parties. Coming to the issue of nomination forms, the Commission’s Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye magnanimously gave forms to some political parties, one of whom was the All Progressives Congress (APC) precisely, to be paid for later, in order to save the political parties and their candidates from imminent closure of nomination period as contained in the timetable released, published and distributed to all political parties free of charge.
To this effect, the statement of the APC and the words ascribed to their acclaimed lawyer was most uncharitable to the Commission and the Chief Electoral Commissioner in person of Barr. Hashim Abioye who, inside his office, personally handed over more than 250 nomination forms to the official of the APC and their acclaimed lawyer without asking for payment as at the time nomination was about to close, when the APC feigned frustration about bank issues regarding payment for nomination forms.
Further to this, the Verification Committee set up by the Commission was inaugurated in the presence of members of the fourth estate of the realm, and the report of the Committee, after the conclusion of their assignment, is in the public domain. Apart from the Information Unit of the Commission that has been living up to its responsibilities, the Chairman of the Commission has not left anyone in the dark through his personal efforts and through his spokesperson.
It is therefore unfortunate that a political party would choose blackmail as a tool in an attempt to rubbish the laudable efforts of the Commission just because the said political party has found itself in an unpalatable situation foisted on itself by itself. We wish to caution that blackmail however beautifully decorated will never distract the Commission from carrying on with its mandate without fear or favour, as we will not break the law on any account, we will only advise that any person who feels aggrieved by any decision or action of the Commission should take a legal action instead of resorting to cheap blackmail which is synonymous to futility’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
