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Raymond Osho
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun state chapter has raised concerns about the state government and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly trying to silence opposition parties ahead of the November 16 local government elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta, the party Chairman, Abayomi Tella claimed that there have been deliberate attempts to prevent opposition parties, particularly the PDP, from participating in the elections.
Tella cited previous attempts, including the disruption of the PDP’s party congress and the presentation of parallel candidate lists to the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), which according to him failed.
The Chairman also, specifically highlighted a recent court case challenging the membership of PDP local government candidates, questioning the motivation behind the suit.
“Why institute a case about the membership of candidates sponsored by the party when OGSIEC is not complaining?” he asked.
” It has become very necessary that we react and inform the public on the many deliberate and desperate attempts by the State Government and the ruling Party to silent and prevent opposition parties particularly our party, PDP to participate in the Saturday, November 16 Local Government elections in Ogun State.
He also expressed concerns about the judge assigned to the case, noting his past affiliation with the APC and Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
He said “We want to state emphatically that we believe strongly in the rule of law and have due respect for our judiciary; therefore, we are expecting true justice even though, we not unaware that the Judge assigned with the case use to be a card carrying member of the Ruling party- APC, A former Caretaker Chairman of Ikenne Local Government.
“We only need to enumerate the political profile of the judge not because we are doubting his integrity, but we are using this as an advice that if he cannot recuse himself from this case, he should deliver true justice which will be in line with the rule of law.
“In as much as we cannot pre-empt the court; it is important that we inform the public on the various tactics and actions going on at the background particularly when the ruling party has seen the acceptability of our candidates across the 20 Local governments of the state.
Tella reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to the rule of law and its expectation of true justice.
He appealed to the people of Ogun State to support the PDP’s candidates and urged the State Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair election.
