Politics
Double Nomination: INEC asked to disqualify Oyo Labour Party Rep candidate, Adedeji
A resident of No. 5, Oluwo Nla street, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr Yekeen Lateef Abiola, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately disqualify Mr Adedeji Adesoji Micheal over alleged double nomination as candidate for two different political parties in the forthcoming 2023 National Assembly election for Ogo Oluwa/Surulere federal constituency without recourse to the Electoral Act which forbids an individual to stand as a candidate for more than one political party.
He alleged that Adedeji Adesoji Michael’s name appeared on the INEC final list of nominees released on the 29th of September, 2022 as a candidate for the Federal House of Representatives in Ogo Oluwa and Surulere federal constituency under the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and Labour Party (LP) respectively.
However, the acceptance of the nomination of Adedeji under two political parties is generating issues and has become a subject of concern to the petitioner and many people that got wind of the alleged atrocity which prompted him (the petitioner) to notify the INEC and seek Adedeji’s disqualification from the 2023 election into the House of Representatives.
In a petition to the National Chairman of the INEC, the petitioner claimed that Mr Adedeji committed the offence in flagrant disobedience to the provision of the amended Electoral Act, 2022 which forbids a candidate to present him or herself for the same election under two or more different political parties, an offence, the petitioner alleged Mr Adedeji had committed by submitting two nominations: first as the candidate of the PRP and Labour Party for the same elective office.
The petition written by his Lawyer, Abiodun Adegbite Esq. from the chambers of Flash Solicitors to the INEC National Chairman was dated October 6. A copy of the petition seen by this news medium read in part: “Upon the release of the final list of nominees by the commission, our client noticed to his utmost dismay that the name of Mr Adedeji Adesoji Michael had been fielded by two political parties to wits: Redemption Party (PRP) and the Labour Party (LP). Attached hereto are annexures A1 and A2.
Also, a quick perusal of the forms EC-9 (substitute), EC11-D, and its accompanying documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the said Mr Adedeji Adesoji Micheal reveal that he had willfully allowed himself to be nominated by two parties as earlier stated.
Moreover, keen scrutiny of the earlier mentioned documents also shows that Mr Adedeji Adesoji Micheal appended his signature on the relevant documents and affixed his passport-sized photographs thereto confirming the identity of the same person (Mr Adedeji Adesoji Micheal) fielded on the platform of the two different political parties (People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and the Labour Party (LP) in the same election.
Moreover, the provision of Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022 is unambiguous about cases of the double nomination of a candidate which is to the effect that such nomination shall be declared null and void. Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022 is hereby reproduced as follows:-
“where a candidate knowingly allows himself to be nominated by more than one political party or in more than one constituency, his nomination shall be void.”
It is trite to also state at this juncture that the nomination of Mr Adedeji Adesoji Michael is not only criminal but a blatant disregard of the provision of Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022.” The petition stated.
On the strength of the foregoing, the petitioner seeks the disqualification of Mr Adedeji Adesoji Micheal by demanding the INEC to carry out a swift investigation concerning the incident of his double nomination under two different political parties contrary to the extant provisions of the Electoral Law.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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