•Cautions Party Against Blackmail
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), has disclosed that it gave the All Progressives Congress Progressive Congress (APC) nomination forms for the forthcoming Local government elections on credit.
OSSIEC said it made the move in order to accommodate APC as the nomination period on the timetable of the electoral agency was nearing imminent closure at the time which they’ve not properly concluded nomination process of their candidates.
The Chairman of the Commisison, Hashim Abioye, made the claim in reaction to the allegations by the APC that the commission is deliberately frustrating its effort towards ensuring victory at the poll.
Osun Defender reports that the state APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, had in a statement on Thursday, said the party doubted the neutrality of Abioye as the head of the umpire.
But Abioye in his reaction said he will not tolerate any blackmail against the Electoral agency under his leadership
He emphasized that, the Commission had given a sense of belonging to every political parties that shown interest in the election and this is one of the reasons why he allowed the All Progressive Congress (APC) to be given nomination forms on credit basis in order to accommodate them as the nomination period on the timetable of the electoral agency was nearing imminent closure at the time which they’ve not properly concluded nomination process of their candidates.
“Coming to the issue of nomination forms, the Commission’s Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye magnanimously gave forms to some political parties, one of whom was the All Progressives Congress (APC) precisely, to be paid for later, in order to save the political parties and their candidates from imminent closure of nomination period as contained in the timetable released, published and distributed to all political parties free of charge.
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“To this effect, the statement of the APC and the words ascribed to their acclaimed Lawyer was most uncharitable to the Commission and the Chief Electoral Commissioner in person of Barr. Hashim Abioye who, inside his office, personally handed over more than 250 nomination forms to the official of the APC and their acclaimed lawyer without asking for payment as at the time nomination was about to close, when the APC feigned frustration about bank issues regarding payment for nomination forms.
“We wish to state further that when it was time for primary elections of political parties, the timetable was adjusted by extending the time for primary elections to allow for more inclusive partipation of political parties.
“It is therefore unfortunate that a political party would choose blackmail as a tool in an attempt to rubbish the laudable efforts of the Commision just because the said political party has found itself in an unpalatable situation foisted on itself by itself.
“We wish to caution that blackmail however beautifully decorated will never distract the Commission from carrying on with its mandate without fear or favour, as we will not break the law on any account. We will only advise that any person who feels aggrieved by any decision or action of the Commission should seek redress in court instead of resorting to cheap blackmail which is synonymous to futility.”
