Honourable Semiu Akingbala, the Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman of the NNPP, reported that OGSIEC officials were nowhere to be found in Ososun Ward 8, Ifo Local Government Area, which has 49 polling units. This wasn’t an isolated incident, as similar complaints poured in from other regions, leaving many voters stranded for hours.
In a statement sent to TimesNow.com.ng, the party said the situation was dire, with Akingbala stating that updates from polling stations revealed slow and uneven electoral processes in several wards by 3 PM. The NNPP’s spokesperson in Ogun, Comrade Omokehinde Olowu, didn’t mince words, criticizing OGSIEC for its logistical failures.
He pointed out that most OGSIEC officials didn’t show up until 2pm, when many voters had already given up and gone home. To make matters worse, they arrived with a paltry 50 ballot papers for each position, sparking concerns about missing ballot papers and potential rigging.
Olowu’s allegations didn’t stop there. He also claimed that NNPP members in various wards were intimidated and chased away by armed thugs. In Ofada Ward, NNPP councillorship candidate Prince Adenekan Azeez Aribidesi reported that OGSIEC officials finally arrived at polling unit 07 at OOLG Primary School, Ibafo, at 1:45 pm. However, in polling unit 08, NNPP members and agents faced harassment from individuals linked to the APC, allegedly with the support of police officers. This raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the election process.
In Ilushin Ward, Waterside constituency, NNPP member Ajayi Oluwatimilehin expressed frustration over the late arrival of election materials at 1 PM. These incidents suggest a broader pattern of disorganization and potential bias on the part of OGSIEC. The NNPP is right to demand answers and accountability from the electoral commission. As the party’s spokesperson, Olowu, pointed out, the whole exercise seems suspicious, and it’s clear that something went terribly wrong.
The NNPP’s concerns about the election’s conduct are valid and warrant a thorough investigation. The party’s allegations of bias, poor organization, and intimidation must be taken seriously to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. As the dust settles, it’s essential to examine what went wrong and how to prevent such issues in future elections. The people of Ogun State deserve better, and it’s up to OGSIEC to restore trust in the electoral process.
TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the NNPP governorship candidate in Ogun state, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has sent a congratulatory note to the United States’ president-elect, Donald Trump.
Oguntoyinbo recalled how he predicted Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election in the US.
The NNPP chieftain then expressed optimism that Trump’s presidency would bring peace to the world and stop the global tension.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
