The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress and the Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) are currently locking horns over alleged plans to shut out some political parties from participating in the forthcoming local government elections.
OSSIEC on Wednesday announced that APC and other parties risk disqualification in some local government areas over invalid nomination.
The Commission gave the concerned Parties 48 hours ultimatum to substitute the nominations.
The APC in a statement by its Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal accused the Chairman of OSSIEC, Barr. Hashim Abioye of not providing level playing field for all Parties.
The party stated that the conduct of the Barr Hashim-led OSSIEC is an indication that “he is working assiduously to deliberately frustrate the brighter chances of the APC in the elections by making himself and all the categories of staff of the commission inaccessible by hurriedly closing the office before 2:30pm today (Thursday ) when the party’s counsel came for enquiries.
“It will shock members of the public to marrow to state that, aside the fact that the OSSIEC has not made available to the party its Guidelines for the Elections, several efforts to obtain the Guidelines had suffered huge frustration from the Barr Hashim-led OSSIEC. ”
The party said it has applied to get certified true copies of the Electoral Guidelines on two occasions but the Commission has failed to honour the request.
“To ensure full compliance with the Regulations of the elections, on July 31st, 2024, the APC caused a formal request for certified true copy of the Guidelines from the Commission but surprisingly, the Commission rejected the request and directed that a new application be made on the ground that heading of the request letter reads, “Planned Elections for 2025”.
“Another effort was hurriedly made within 10 minutes and a new letter was brought carrying the heading as so demanded by the OSSIEC but it was very disturbing that the OSSIEC, like in this manner, closed the Secretariat around 3:25pm and ran away.”
Reacting to the allegations of the APC, the commission in a statement by Sadiat Isiaka, on behalf of the information unit, described the allegations as fallacious.
According to a statement signed by Sadiat Isiaka on Thursday on behalf of the information unit of the commission, OSSIEC said the Commission is not only a media friendly organization, but also one that carries all stakeholders along in all its activities.
“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 being carried along 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.” The Commission stated.
OSSIEC however keeps mum on the allegations of shutting down of its office at 2:30pm as alleged by APC.
OSSIEC communicates us regularly – IPAC
Speaking with InsightMedia, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Pastor Victor Akande said the Party confirmed that OSSIEC does brief them.
Akande accused the APC and the People’s Democratic Party of not making themselves available for meetings and briefings.
“OSSIEC has been interfacing with us on this process. Our inputs taken and we do have regular exchange of correspondences. All the regulations and guidelines are currently with us and even the newspaper of the APC is still with me.
“The problem is that APC and PDP is that they don’t relate with us. They feel too big to interface with us.” Akande said.
