The People’s Democratic Party in Osun has rejected the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale as the Returning Officer for the governorship election in the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Party also alleged the ruling All Progressives Congress of using Amotekun corps to kill and maim its members across the State.
Chairman of the Legal Committee of the Party, Barr. Niyi Owolade made the allegations on Monday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Osogbo, the State capital.
Owolade also accused the APC of plotting to buy votes on election day, while calling on security agents to immediately investigate the killing of Akinpelu Kashim and Waheed Adebayo that happened last week.
PDP described Adebowale as an “APC sympathiser” and they “will not allow him” to superintend on the process.
Owolade said, “As much as we have confidence that adherence to the spirit and letters of the Electoral Act will guarantee free and fair election, we reject the appointment of Prof Adebowale as State Returning Officer for the July 16th election on account of partisanship and affiliation with the All Progressive Congress as a party, through the party’s former national chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun (the chairman of the governing council and pro chancellor of University of Ibadan), the Governor -elect of Ekiti state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji and his membership of alumni association of Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire of which Osun state deputy governor is a member.
“It is particularly troubling that the Vice Chancellor was part of Ekiti APC campaign on more than five occasions. He was specifically very close the family of the Ekiti Governor elect before and during the campaigns.
“It would therefore be unfair to the mantra of free and fair election for such a figure with close affinity to the APC to be appointed State Returning Officer for the July 16 elections. Prof Adebowale is not just an appointee of Oyegun led Council, he is clearly a member of the inner circle of APC going by his recent activities.” He said.
The party called on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mamhood Yakubu to urgently withdraw the appointment of Prof Adebowale and appoint a new neutral Returning Officer for Osun poll.
Speaking on the alleged attack on their members, Owolade said, “In the last three weeks, APC has embarked on a systematic attacks on PDP supporters using the Amotekun operatives. This violent agenda reached a peak few days ago with the gruesome killing in cold blood of Akinpelu Kasim & Waheed Adebayo and shooting of Adesina Opeyemi, innocent citizens, who were shot dead by some AMOTEKUN Corps on Tuesday 14th June, 2022, around 9am at Asoje Area, Osogbo, Osun State. It is regrettable that the AMOTEKUN Security Outfit established for the purpose of strengthening regional security of boundaries to curb the activities of bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, etc has now become a tool of oppression and attack in the hands of some desperate politicians of the ruling Party in Osun State, the APC, launching offensive weapons and dangerous ammunition to intimidate, oppress and harass members of the PDP in Osun State so as to desperately have their way in the coming Osun Governorship election in less than 30days from now. The height of the criminality was the killing of the duo of Akinpelu Kasim & Waheed Adebayo and grievous bodily harm inflicted on Adesina Opeyemi who were innocent, harmless and armless but still gunned down by some overzealous AMOTEKUN Corps.”
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The PDP demanded “investigation of the activities of the Osun AMOTEKUN and determining their scope of operation and reasons for their meddling in the electoral process and affairs of politicians in Osun State;
“Immediate investigation into the murder of Akinpelu Kasim & Waheed Adebayo and the shooting of Adesina Opeyemi and prompt and diligent prosecution of those found culpable;
“Reinforcement of men of the Zonal and State Command to ensure adequate security for citizens.
” We reject the appointment of Prof Adebowale as State Returning Officer and demand the appointment of a neutral STO by INEC.
“We demand sanction against APC for its criminal plot to subvert the electoral process through elaborate vote buying agenda.”
