Politics
Oyo LG Poll: APGA demands scrapping of nomination fee
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Oyo state has written to the Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN, asking the Commission to scrap the nomination form fees for the offices of Chairmen and Councillors demanded from political parties before they can participate in the upcoming local government election, Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered.
It will be recalled that OYSIEC, had earlier published guidelines for Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections in the 33 Local Government Councils of Oyo State and expressly stated that Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates of political parties are expected to pay a sum of N250,000 and N100,000 respectively before picking the nomination forms and before they can participate in the election.
However, Oyo APGA, in a letter written by its solicitors, Marvic Alpha LP Nigeria , to the OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, dated 14th May, 2021, submitted that it is not only outrightly illegal for the Commission to demand money from the party and indeed other political parties.
The solicitors also noted that it would amount to an unlawful act should OYSIEC disenfranchise APGA and other political parties from contesting in the local government election on the account of non payment of the requested non-refundable nomination fee.
“The acts of intended disenfranchisement on account of failure to pay the non-refundable fee by our client is against the spirit of Section 42(1)(a-b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as altered”.
Lawyers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a letter obtained by our reporter, further argued, “By virtue of the provision of the Constitution, is not competent to prescribe any substantive condition or conditions for the nomination, eligibility, qualification or disqualification of person contesting elections into the Local Government Areas in Oyo State either on its own or pursuant to any law enacted by the Government of Oyo State which are contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. We further submit that it is no gainsaying that what you intend doing in this case is to state extraneous conditions against the provisions stated in Sections 7(4), 106 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and now proceeded to add some foreign elements into it such as the request for non-refundable payment of N250,000 and N100,000 for Chairmanship and Councilorship respectively.”
Oyo APGA disclosed that when the Commission refused to entertain all entreaties made to it to scrap the non-refundable nomination form fee, it instituted a suit at the Oyo State High Court of Justice sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan against OYSIEC and the Attorney General of Oyo State .
The letter reads in part, “Our client informed us that despite all its protests and that of other political parties, your Commission refused to scrap the nomination form fee and went ahead to publish a Notice and Timetable of 2021 Elections into Thirty Three (33) Local Government Councils in Oyo State which also included the prescribed fee of N100,000 and N250,OOO for the offices of Councillors and Chairmen respectively. After doing this, our client informed us that you invited it and other political parties to another meeting on 23rd February, 2021 for the purpose of looking at the notice and timetable of the election over again. Our client insists that it is not going to be part of the illegality your Commission wants to perpetrate by asking for financial deposits against the provisions of the Constitution and plethora of case laws.
“Our client informed us that at another forum on 2nd March 2021 held at your Commission’s Conference Room, the issue of nomination form fee was raised by the State Chairman of our client wherein he implored you to look into the matter as it has the tendency of disenfranchising lots of our client’s candidates and prevent them from picking nomination forms to participate in the elections. Our client also complained about the screening and verification exercise to be conducted by your Commission pursuant to the provisions of your Guideline and against the provisions of the Constitution but you rejected this saying that your Commission is so empowered under the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2000.
“However, our client informed us that you promised to look into the matter. On the basis of your Commission’s assurance, our client directed its Oyo State structure to get ready to participate in the 2021 local government election into the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions. Our client caused a letter to be forwarded to your Commission indicating its desire to conduct primary elections in readiness for the local government election and requesting your Commission’s presence as observers. In actual fact, your Commission duly acknowledged the said letter. Our client was able to conduct primary elections across the 33 local governments in Oyo State and presented the list of the successful candidates to your Commission and same was acknowledged.
According to the lawyers, APGA’s demand on nomination fee was in line with a court decision which the late Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana were part of.
It continued, “Our client informed us that there was another time when you visited its office and the issue of payment for nomination form was discussed. The National Vice Chairman (South West) of our client informed you that there is an existing court judgment procured by late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN against your Commission in suit number I/117/2004 between National Conscience Party on one side and the Attorney General of Oyo State and your Commission on the other side. In the above case, the Court per My Lord the Hon. Justice M. O. Bolaji-Yusuf held by declaring that your Commission is incompetent to prescribe conditions for the nomination, eligibility, qualification and disqualification of candidates to contest Local Government Elections in Oyo State outside the conditions stipulated by Sections 7(4), 106 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our client informed us that after showing a copy of the judgment to you, you promised to look into it and revert accordingly. Till date, nothing was done and no scrapping of nomination form fee was effected by your Commission. Our client is desirous of participating and fielding candidates to contest Chairmanship and Councillorship elections across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State but only being handicapped by the nomination form fees imposed by your Commission.
“This matter is already before the court and as such, all parties ought to maintain status quo until the determination of the matter.
“The law is that once a matter is in court all parties are enjoined to abstain from any act that might impugn or affect the status quo. It will amount to a flagrant disregard of due processes for any person who has notice of a pending suit either against him or against the authority for whom he works, to embark on any activity that will defeat the essence of justice or to render the course of justice already set in motion into futility or nugatory”, it concluded.
The party, however reminded the commission that it had already submitted the list of its candidates, urging OYSIEC to reconsider its earlier position and scrap the payment of the non-refundable nomination fees, or better still put the election on hold till the final determination of the matter in court.
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.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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