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2019: Kano underage voting, hint to APC rigging plans — ADP chieftain alleges
CHAIRMAN, Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ijebu North Local Government, Prince Dele Ajayi, has alleged that the underage voting in the Kano Local Government election was an inkling to what might likely happen in some parts of the country in the forthcoming general elections.
Ajayi, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ijebu Ode on Tuesday, posited that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), could be said to have perfected plans to massively rig the 2019 elections, stressing that the underage voters registration and voting in the North is just one their strategies.
The ADP chieftain further described voters registration as a very important aspect of elections, just as he enjoined voters in Ogun State and Nigeria at large to get their Permanent Voters Card (PCV) and vote out the failed rulling party.
Also, the National Chairman of the party, Yabagi Sani, on AIT Kakaki programme, on Monday condmned the incident, saying “Kano is All Progressives Congress (APC) state and the party has not done anything to condemn the underage voting.”
The former Vice Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rulling party of being reluctant to take decisive steps on the issue of underage voters, while questioning the independence of the Commission and the reliability of the voters’ register.
“The excuse that underage voters were registered because of threats to the lives of registration officers is untenable. And if this is true, then how indipendent is INEC, and how reliable is the voters register? INEC should not have kept silent on this anti-democratic matter before now, if truly the Commission is sincerely committed to ensuring the survival of democracy in Nigeria”, he said.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last weekend promised that the alleged incident of underage voting during the recent local government elections in Kano State would be fully investigated.
He then commended the moves by the National Assembly to re-order the 2019 general election’s sequence as contained in the recent amendment to the Electoral Act.
Commenting on the economic situations in Nigeria, the ADP chieftain said the performances of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration lack the intellectual capacity to tackle the nation’s economy, which according to him, led to the collapse of several companies and loss of jobs in Nigeria, and unarguable sufferings of the masses.
Quoting the National Bureu of Statistics (NBS) 2017 unemployment reports, Ajayi said, “4.07 million Nigerians became unemployed between January and September 2017. This was against the Buhari’s promise in a campaign rally in Kano and other places, whereby he promised to create three million jobs yearly (totalling 12 million in his first term) solve the problem of unemployment, and in addition, his then running mate, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, at a campaign rally in Akure, pledging 20,000 jobs yearly totaling 720,000.”
On the chances of ADP in the 2019 elections in Ogun State and Nigeria at large, Ajayi said: “ADP has come to stay, and to fix the crooked in the Nigerian economy and policies, and give the Nigerian people a credible alternative they have been yearning for, a third force which is capable of turning the country around for good.”
Ajayi, while describing ADP as a credible party for Nigerians to embrace and be served, said the policy of the party is to better utilise the resources of Nigeria for the good of the country and her good people.
“Our party, since its registration with the INEC in June 2017, has continued to receive massive membership. This is an indication that Nigerians are tired and can no longer continue with the shenanigan ways of doing politics which is currently being practiced by both the APC and PDP”.
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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