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.
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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