Politics

OSSIEC on Standby for Osun Election

By Web News 424

By Funmi Ojo

The Chairman, of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Mr Hashim Abioye has unveiled election materials for the Osun State Local Government election slated for Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Mr  Abioye while addressing stakeholders at the Commission office, said he is fully ready for the election where 18 political parties have signified their readiness to participate except if there is contrary information during the week.

The OSSIEC Chairman unveiled the voting materials which include, a double-edge cubicle, Ballot Box and Ballot Papers.

He explained that the cubicle to be used is a departure from the past as the present cubicle accommodates two voters to exercise their voting rights at a time, the ballot box also displayed, is portable and transparent.

Mr  Abioye added that the ballot papers came with secret security features with a scan code attached to a particular Poling Unit that cannot be used in another Polling Booths.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Pastor Victor Akande commended the OSSIEC Chairman for a job well done including the new face of the Conference Hall that is now befitting unlike what it used to be.

On behalf of the political parties present he gave a vote of confidence in OSSIEC on the forthcoming election, commending the OSSIEC Chairman for his transparency and solid preparations.

Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN applauded the preparation of OSSIEC, however, appealed for maximum security for the election to protect lives and properties, especially the youths.

Contributing, the Acting State Director of, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Adefarsin Adebiyi urged political parties to enlighten their members and promote peace urging any aggrieved party to approach the court for redress if they have issues.

Mr  Adebiyi advised the state government to declare work-free days before the election, to allow every worker to participate in the exercise.

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Politics

IPAC Questions Readiness of OSSIEC for LG Poll

By Web News 289

By Mojisola Oladele 

The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has passed a vote of no confidence in the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, questioning its readiness to conduct credible local government election in the state.

IPAC in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, jointly signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, Secretary, Mr Oluseye Odesola and  State Publicity Secretary, Dr Gbenga Afeni  condemned what it described as a political game orchestrated by OSSIEC.

IPAC said the action of the commission signals attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

The Group called upon the Osun State House of Assembly to intervene and urged OSSIEC to adhere to constitutional obligations within a reasonable time frame.

They condemned the State Electoral body over the neglect of political parties since the initial meeting raises further doubts about OSSIEC’s commitment to a fair electoral process

IPAC, explained further that the current administration’s shift towards caretaker coordinators instead of holding timely local government elections add to the uncertainty surrounding upcoming polls.

Recall that OSSIEC Chairman, Mr. Ashim Abioye had announced that the local Government election would be held on February 22, 2025.

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Politics

Stakeholders Want Increased Women Participation in Politics

By Web News 439

By Funmi Ojo

Women in Osun State need to actively participate in politics to contribute to the state’s and the country’s sustainable social and economic development.

Stakeholders in politics stated this at a two-day consultative meeting on “Advancing the Participation of Women in Politics through Female elected candidates in South West Nigeria”, organized by a non-governmental organization, Hope for Family Development Initiative, HFDI.

In her address, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Market Women, Chief Eniola Omotosho, identified the male gender as the main factor hindering women’s participation in politics.

Chief Omotosho, a two-time House of Representatives candidate, stressed that most men particularly husbands, discouraged their wives when they showed interest in elective positions.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC in Osun State, Mr. Victor Akande, emphasized the need for women to foster support for one another, noting that they occupy a significant percentage of the electorate.

Mr Akande said: “Politics is a game of figures and women dominate these figures, but the issue is women don’t support each other, we’ll have a larger number of female representatives once they start fostering support for each other irrespective of the party”.

In their separate remarks, the president, Osun State Chapter, National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, Dr. Adeola Ayoola and Amira, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN, Alhaja Sadiat Oladapo called on women associations to propose a memorandum that would ensure professional women are given more opportunities in politics to transform the nation’s leadership.

In his remark, the Chairman of HFDI Board of Trustees, Dr. Aremu Adeola called for more equitable representation of women in governance.

Dr. Adeola expressed displeasure over the low participation of women in politics, saying that increased women’s participation in politics is necessary for achieving global gender equality and democratic governance.

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Politics

Adeleke Calls for Harmonious Relationship with IPAC

By Web News 396

By Funmi Ojo

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called for a harmonious relationship with the Inter-party Advisory Council, Osun State Chapter, to move the state forward jointly.

Governor Adeleke stated this when he received members of the Inter-party Advisory Council at his office, State Secretariat, Abere, Osun State

He stressed that his administration is open to deep engagement with the political class that the association represents, pointing out that when an election is completed, the political class should meet to deliberate on how to move the State forward.

He spoke further, “Once the election is over, it should be in the best interest of every political class to be thinking of how the elected government will succeed. We should be aware of the thinking of the citizenry.

“The citizenry has seen politicians as self-serving, but we must change that perception by truly supporting ourselves while in office. 

While promising to take necessary action towards IPAC’s request, Governor Adeleke urged IPAC to come up with a good political ideology to develop the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of IPAC, Pastor Victor Akande had explained that the council came for the visit to acquaint the newly elected Executive of the council with the Governor.

He noted that IPAC is not an opposition to the government, but a collaborative partner in progress, promising to give necessary support to ensure Governor Adeleke’s success in the administration of the State, admitting that the success of the Governor is their success.

While commending the Governor for his generosity towards members of the group during the distribution of palliative in the State, the IPAC Chairman noted that the gesture has indeed alleviated the burden of members caused by the subsidy removal by the federal government.

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Politics

LG Poll: IPAC Pledges Total Support for OYSIEC 

By Web News 455

…says usage of BVAS  for election not feasible 

By Nashirdeen Sherifdeen

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Oyo State, has pledged to create more awareness on the forthcoming local government council election in Oyo State and also accord the State’s electoral umpire total support to have a peaceful and credible election.

Speaking further on Thursday during the visit of IPAC new executives to the Office of the Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Agodi Quarters, Ibadan, the IPAC Chairman, Otunba Fagbemi Adegbenro, emphasized the need for OYSIEC not to engage in acts that could mar the electoral process.

The IPAC boss assured that the body will not relent in its efforts to change the narratives associated with the conduct of local government council elections but work closely with OYSIEC towards ensuring the credibility of the elections  

On the possibilities of OYSIEC making use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System ( BVAS) for the polls, Otunba Fagbemi revealed that BVAS is in the custody of the Independent Electoral Commission, which he said it will be difficult for INEC to release to OYSIEC.

He expressed optimism that the non-availability of BVAS on election day will not hinder the electoral process, adding that the usage of  BVAS alone in an election cannot confer credibility of the election.

The new IPAC Chairman noted that the body will partake in the election with or without BVAS

He speaks further:”IPAC and OYSIEC have been partners in progress, we are monitoring them closely to see the progress so far”

“Some political parties might not be strong in all the local governments but strong in other areas Go out and prove your popularity.

“We cannot use BVAS for this election because I definitely knew INEC will not release it because it is the exclusive property of INEC, and this is State election.

“And if the state wants to acquire BVAS, it is costly. So, for this election, we are not using BVAS”

“We did it in 2021, just bring your means of identification, your permanent voter’s card, and once your name is on the voter register, you will vote. Otunba Fagbemi opined.

In their separate contributions, the IPAC Secretary, Akinade Opeyemi, and Public Relations Officer, Engr. Gbeminiyi Ayodele, called for constant engagement with the security chiefs in the state by OYSIEC and the signing of a peace accord by all the political parties to aid more participation.

They also advised the Commission to supervise the conduct of ad-hoc staff to be engaged for the election and monitor them closely so that the electoral process won’t be compromised.

Responding, The OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, 

described the visit of the new executives to the commission as significant considering the state of preparations of the Commission for the election scheduled for 27th April 2024.

Olagunju, while appealing to political parties to play the game according to the rules, hinted that necessary arrangements have been made by the Commission to have peaceful and acceptable elections, assuring that the interest of the people will prevail on election day.

He explained that the Commission is in constant touch with the security agencies in the state to have an election that is more peaceful.

On the ongoing recruitment of ad-hoc staff to be engaged for the polls, Aare Olagunju said the Commission will soon release the names of successful candidates, adding that over 38,000 residents applied for the job.

While congratulating the IPAC new executives for their victories at the poll, the OYSIEC boss sought continued support of IPAC for the success of the poll.

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Politics

Leadership Crisis Rocks IPAC

By Web News 324

The Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC has been torn apart by a leadership crisis in which the Chairman, Alhaji Yabagi Sani has been accused of plotting to elongate his tenure which has ended.

The leaders were called to a meeting by Alhaji Yabagi, who then proposed a motion to extend his term in office until next week when a fresh election would be held. This caused pandemonium, and Mr. Julius Abure, the national chairman of the Labour Party, stormed out of the meeting.

Alhaji Yabagi however maintained that the decision to elongate his tenure was to give room for an already planned national centenary program for political parties in the country.

But the national Secretary of IPAC and National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali disagreed with Alhaji Yabagi and described his actions as illegal and alien to the IPAC constitution.

The Chairman of the electoral committee and national chairman of Zenith Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu however gave assurance that all the issues would be resolved as he and his team were set to conduct a transparent election next week.

Victorson Agbenson

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Politics

IPAC Condemns Burning of INEC Office

By Web News 402

The Osun State Chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has described the burning of the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Ede South Local Government of Osun State by suspected hoodlums as barbaric. 

The arson occurred on Thursday when some unidentified persons attacked the building and set a portion ablaze.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the council, Mr Wale Adebayo, in Osogbo, Osun state capital, urged security agencies to bring to book the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Adedayo said ” The burning of such an institution close to the general election is shocking, uncivilized and barbaric”. 

He added that with 106 days to the general election, it is primitive and worrisome that such unpleasant incident reared its ugly head.

The Chairman charged the police and other law enforcement agencies to work assiduously to unravel those behind the act.

He also cautioned political parties to play by the rules of the game

Adedayo Adelowo

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Politics

Election is not a civil war, embrace issue based campaigns – IPAC

By Web News 454

Inter Part Advisory Council, IPAC, Osun State has called on politicians and political parties to jettison campaigns of calumny and address basic political issues.

Chairman, IPAC, Osun State, Mr.Wale Adebayo made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Osogbo ahead of the governorship election slated for sixteenth of July.

Mr.Adebayo who said election was not a civil war said there was the need for all stakeholders to always remember what bound them beyond politics.

“About sixteen parties would be participating in the election and only one would emerge the winner.We can’t say because of that ,we should start killing ourselves” Adebayo said.

The Osun IPAC Chairman however urged all and sundry to ensure they turned out en-masse to make use of their franchise during the election.

Adedayo Adelowo

Politics

Ekiti Guber Poll: INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials to Council Areas

By Web News 503

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Ekiti State has distributed the sensitive materials meant for this Saturday’s Governorship Election in the state.

The materials were distributed at the INEC state office in Ado Ekiti in the presence of journalists, party and security agents to the Electoral officers in the sixteen local governments of the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adeniran Tella who distributed the materials said the electoral officers would take the items to their councils where it would be sent to the polling units on Saturday morning.

Some of the materials distributed were, Ballot papers, Result sheets, Booklets, , Forms EC 8A, B, C, D,E, forms EC 4zero G, 4 zero G1 and 2.

He expressed the hope that there would be no late arrival of materials to polling units on Saturday.

Dr Tella said the ballot papers were coloured coded for each local government in order to prevent Electoral fraud.

He added that the result sheets were also customized according to the polling units.

 Some of the party agents including Mr Kayode Babade of the APC, Mr kehinde Adeniyi of the ADC and IPAC Chairman in Ekiti State, Mr Ifedayo Iyanuwura lauded INEC for the transparent manner in which the materials were distributed.

Amos Ogunrinde

Politics

Oyo LG Polls: Police Assures Stakeholders Of Adequate Security

By Web News 749

Oyo State Police Command has promised to deploy nine thousand men to maintain peace and order in over four thousand polling units across the state during the coming local government elections.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko made this known while appealing to participating candidates and political parties at a meeting of security agencies with political parties at Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Mrs Onadeko, who reiterated the police commitment to zero tolerance for thuggery during the polls, stressed that perpetrators would be prosecuted.

In a remark, the chairman Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, Chief Isiaka Olagunju, disclosed that the creation of a Situation Room for monitoring election process in line with his vision to conduct election that would be acceptable to all stakeholders.

The chairman, Inter-party Advisory Committee, IPAC, Mr. Adegbenro Fagbemi represented by the state secretary, Mr. Kabir Akinade urged OYSIEC and security agencies to protect the promised integrity of the process.

Highlights of the meeting was the signing of peace accord by representatives of political parties, with a pledge to ensure free and fair election.

Sheriffdeen Nasirudeen

Politics

Only 16 Political Parties in Oyo State – INEC

By Web News 916

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says only sixteen political parties are recognised in Oyo state.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo state, Mr Mutiu Agboke stated this at a stakeholders meeting with members of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and Political Parties held in Oyo state.

Mr Agboke noted that with the development, there was a vacuum in IPAC as most of its principal officers in Oyo state fell within the deregistered parties and were no longer known to law.

Mr Agboke stressed the readiness of INEC to collaborate with the parties to ensure hitch-free political process.

INEC had on November deregistered 74 political parties out of 92.

Adedayo Adelowo