Ogun PDP accuses APC of plotting to dam participation in LG ballot

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the ruling All Progressives Congress of making an attempt to stop it from collaborating in Saturday’s native authorities elections.

Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, raised the alarm on Wednesday throughout a press briefing on the social gathering’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

He alleged that the APC, fearing the recognition of PDP candidates, is resorting to numerous techniques to sideline the opposition.

“The governor and APC have noticed the overwhelming reputation of our candidates and are, subsequently, scheming to dam us from collaborating by any means doable,” Tella acknowledged.

The social gathering’s claims come amid a authorized go well with filed by former state PDP chairman, Sikirullahi Ogundele, which Tella described as an try orchestrated by the state authorities to destabilise the social gathering.

The go well with seeks to disqualify PDP candidates, alleging they aren’t formally recognised members of the social gathering.

“Earlier than this baseless lawsuit, there have been earlier makes an attempt to disrupt our social gathering congresses, submission of parallel candidate lists to the Ogun State Unbiased Electoral Fee (OGSIEC), and now this authorized motion questioning the eligibility of our candidates,” Tella stated.

He identified that the go well with was filed weeks after the official deadline for objections to candidate nominations, a timeline OGSIEC beforehand established.

Regardless of this, he expressed confidence within the judiciary however raised issues over the impartiality of Justice Sunday Adeniyi, assigned to the case.

He famous that Justice Adeniyi was a former APC member, a previous caretaker chairman of Ikenne Native Authorities, and marketing campaign director for Governor Abiodun’s 2015 Senate bid.

“We respect the judiciary and belief within the rule of regulation. Nevertheless, we can’t overlook that the choose assigned was as soon as an APC member and appointed as a choose by Governor Abiodun. Whereas we’re not questioning his integrity, we urge him to make sure justice aligns with the rule of regulation,” Tella remarked.

Tella additional urged OGSIEC to uphold transparency through the polls, emphasising the necessity for well timed distribution of supplies to all 20 native governments and 236 wards.

In the meantime, Ogun APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, dismissed the PDP’s allegations, attributing them to inner divisions which have plagued the social gathering for over a decade.

“The PDP is solely searching for somebody accountable for its unresolved disaster. The APC has no hand of their inner rifts, parallel congresses, or factional disputes,” Oladunjoye acknowledged.

Sikirullahi Ogundele, additionally talking with The PidomNigeria, denied being influenced by the state authorities, dismissing the allegations as “low cost lies.”

“Once I was in alignment with them, I wasn’t seen as a device. Now that I’m taking a unique path, they’re accusing me. I’m educated, with a PhD, and I do know what I’m doing,” Ogundele stated.

The case is scheduled for listening to on Thursday, as each events brace for a authorized showdown forward of the native authorities polls.