Politics

Tight Security as Lagos APC Chairmanship Primaries Holds

By Web News 143

The All Progressives Congress Local Government chairmanship primaries are currently underway at the party secretariat in Ikeja, amid heavy security.

According to reports, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed July 12 to conduct elections into the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

There is a heavy presence of police operatives at the venue to ensure a  hitch-free conduct.

The state  Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, is seen monitoring the security situation within and around the venue.

Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security were also on the ground to provide security.

Vehicular movements on the entire stretch of the road leading to the venue was restricted, as Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority were sighted at strategic locations.

The development created gridlock around ACME Road and other roads, forcing vehicles to take alternative routes to access their destinations.

Reports say that hundreds of delegates from the different Councils areas were screened for accreditation.

Addressing newsmen briefly before the commencement of the delegates’ accreditation, the Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Mr Babatunde Ogala, called for fair reportage from the media.

According to him, though the accreditation was supposed to start at 9am, the committee delayed commencement by some minutes to ensure delegates coming from far places were part of the process.

NAN/Adebukola Aluko

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Politics

Low Voters’ Turnout, Delay in Oyo LG Poll

By Web News 392

By Fawole/Kehinde /Asake/ Oyekunle/Banjo

Voters’ turnout in the ongoing council election in Ibarapa East Local Government is low as at the time of filling this report.

Our team of correspondents monitoring the exercise report that election is peaceful while voting commenced at about half past eight in the morning in Ward 6, Polling Units 1,2,3,4 Eruwa and Ward 6, Polling units 10,11,13, Okolo village.

Speaking shortly after voting, Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke urged electorate in the council to come out en-mass to exercise their franchise.

Also speaking, former House of Reps Member, who represnted Ido Ibarapa Federal Constituency in the 9th Assembly, Mr Yemi Taiwo commended the peaceful conduct of electorate and advocated improved awareness on participation in local government election in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, security agencies were at strategic locations to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

In Oyo Town, voting exercise had not commenced in some Polling units in Ward 10 Oyo East Local Government., Oyo.

When Radio Nigeria correspondents got to Unit 7 of the Ward, few voters were seen casting their votes While the officials from OYSIEC said, they were still waiting for Result Sheets from the Supervisor.

As at the time of filing this report, only few wards have completed the sorting of Election materials while some were yet to take off from the collation centres in Oyo West, Oyo East and Atiba Local Government Areas.

The exercise which is slated to commence at 8 O’clock in the morning has not begun due to late arrival of election materials and logistics as voters are waiting at various Units.

In a Related Development, Most polling units in Ibadan Metropolis have not commenced accreditation and voting as Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, officials are yet to arrive.

Radio Nigeria correspondents monitoring proceedings around Dugbe, Mokola, Monatan observed that OYSIEC officials are yet to arrive the polling units.

Voting has however commenced in Ibadan Northeast, ward 11, unit one, the polling unit of Governor Seyi Makinde who was yet to arrive to cast his vote.

Also voting was also ongoing at ward 11 Unit 16 and 17, and some other parts of Ibadan Northeast Local Government, Iwo road

Voters were also still waiting for OYSIEC officials at ward 8, unit 36 and 49 Akinyele Local Government and at ward 1 unit 1, Lagelu Local Government 

Meanwhile, security operatives were stationed in all the polling units that have commenced accreditation and voting.

Radio Nigeria observed that vehicular movement were seen on major roads while commercial activities was ongoing in most areas of the metropolis in spite of the restriction declared from 6am to 4pm.

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Politics

LG Poll: Ogundoyin Upbeat about Party’s Chances

By Web News 467

By Mosope Kehinde

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin has expressed confidence in the victory of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP in Ibarapa East Local Government in the forthcoming Local Government election scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

The Speaker gave the assurance at a stakeholders meeting attended by Ibarapa East PDP leaders, Party and Ward Executive members, candidates of the Party in the Local Government election as well as current leadership of the party in the Council.

The candidate of the party in the Local Government, Mr. Kazeem Owolabi Arogundade and his Vice, Mr. Olalowo Olakunle Jacob as well as all the councillorship candidates were in attendance at the meeting.

Mr. Ogundoyin said the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to strategise and assess the level of preparation of the party ahead of the Local Government election. 

He added that the PDP remains the strongest political party in Ibarapa East Local Government hence victory at the poll is non-negotiable.

He said the meeting was to impress it on all stakeholders the need for everyone to work in unison for the victory of the party.

According to the Speaker, the full campaign for the candidates continues in all the major streets, communities, and villages in Eruwa and Lanlate 

” PDP in Ibarapa East Local Government is ready for the Local Government election coming up on the 27th of April, 2024. The stakeholders meeting is to hear from party chieftains and members how far we have gone vis-a-vis our preparation and to also perfect our plans to win convincingly come April, 27. I want to appeal to all our party members to put aside their differences and work together for the victory of the party. We have good and sellable candidates, Hon. Kazeem Owolabi Arogundade (PDP Chairmanship Candidate) and Hon. Olalowo Olakunle Jacob (PDP Vice Chairmanship Candidate) and we shall leave no stone unturned in campaigning for them. ” Oyo Speaker stressed 

Other party chieftains who spoke at the stakeholders meeting pledged their loyalty and commitment to the party.

The meeting was attended by former member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Yemi Taiwo, Chairman, Ibarapa East Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Obalowo, Oyo Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss wasilat Adegoke, Hon Ojoawo, a former Oyo State House of Assembly Member, Hon Dimeji Oladapo, Senatorial chairman, Alhaji Kamorudeen Adeyemi, Party Chairman, Alhaji Sikiru Adebisi, Chairman, Oyo State Tipper, Lorry and Quarry Park Management System, Alhaji Akeem Akintola Kuso, Alhaji Kasali Morakinyo, Prince Opadeye and Prince Biodun Olabiyi among others.

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Politics

LG Poll: Osun PDP Cautions INEC, Court Fixes September 13 for Hearing

By Web News 520

The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the release of the updated voters’ register to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) or lending any support to Osun Electoral Commission for the purpose of the planned local government election.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of Osun State PDP, Dr. Adekunle Akindele in a statement called on INEC to desist from supporting illegality saying any support rendered to OSIEC may tarnish the integrity of the national electoral body.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier written to INEC not to release the updated voters’ register to OSIEC as the planned illegal local government election is subject to live litigation in court.

The party had in the communication specifically tasked INEC not to aid and abet illegality and criminality sanctioned under Section 150 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

PDP maintained that the planned council election by OSIEC was illegal and unconstitutional, and the process has not been in accord with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The Party Chairman further reminded INEC and Osun stakeholders that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has fixed the 13th day of September 2022 for the hearing of the suit instituted by the PDP against INEC and OSIEC to determine the legality and constitutionality or otherwise of the planned Local Government election.

The hearing would also involve the determination of the application by the PDP asking for a mandatory order of injunction to set aside the notice of election and all the steps already taken, being taken and/or about to be taken by INEC and OSIEC with respect to the planned illegal election.

The PDP is equally seeking a mandatory order of injunction against INEC from partaking in the illegality.

“We can confirm that all the court processes and hearing notices in the matter have been served on OSIEC and INEC,” the Chairman further stated

“We reinforce our condemnation of the OSIEC Chairman for his desperation despite the pendency of litigation in court. We express our confidence that the judiciary is up to the task to undo whatever illegality the OSIEC might have perpetrated”, assuring the good people of Osun State that the planned illegality will not see the light of day.

Funmi Adekoya

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Politics

LG Poll: Oyo Restricts Movements

By Web News 575

The Oyo State Government has announced restriction of movement of persons and goods within the territory of the state between 6am and 3pm on Saturday.

In a statement authorised by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, the State Government declared that the restrictions have become necessary to enable voters in the 33 local governments participate freely in the May 22 election.

The statement indicated that movement of persons and goods will be restricted between the hours of 6am and 3pm to enable officials of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) conduct the election without hindrance.

It directed all registered voters in the state to freely participate in the election and remain law abiding.

The statement, signed by Mrs. Adeosun, read: “In furtherance of the quest for a hitch free local government election holding on Saturday, May 22, 2021, His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has ordered the restriction of movements between the hours of 6am and 3pm on the aforementioned date.

“During the period of the restriction, security operatives will stop unauthorised movement of persons and goods in all parts of the state.
“Only persons on essential duties would be exempted from the restriction order.

“The general public is hereby advised to observe the restriction order avoid any form of brushes with security operatives.

“Indigenes and residents of the state are as well enjoined to go about their duties peacefully while they go out to cast their votes in line with prescribed guidelines of OYSIEC.”

Oyo News

Politics

LG Poll: OGSIEC to Explore Use of Information Technology

By Web News 613

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, is to explore the process of Information Technology, IT in the conduct of the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The chairman of the commission, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, who made this in Abeokuta, said arrangements for the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff on IT had been concluded.

Mr Osibodu explained that the commission would collaborate with the state Tech-hub to put IT infrastructure in place necessary to make the process seamless and transparent.

He gave the assurance that the commission would be fair, equitable and unbiased to all political parties as well as other stakeholders in the forthcoming council polls.

Mr Osibodu, who noted that the elections would be held in 4038 Polling Units across the 20 Local Government Areas, said the commission was working with various security agencies to ensure a violent free and successful exercise.

Also, one of the commissioners in OGSIEC, Mrs. Gbemi Onasanya described media as partners in progress and solicited their continued support towards peaceful and successful council polls.

Olusegun Folarin