•instructs OSSIEC not to succumb to blackmail in the exercise
The Osun State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Monday described the alleged move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to truncate the holding of local government elections scheduled for next month as the “hoax of the year, which will never see the light of day.”
The Chairman of the party, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, disclosed this in a statement and warned the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) not to succumb to blackmail in the upcoming elections.
According to him, “we observe a slander campaign aimed at disrupting the elections on February 22, 2025, local governments in the state and OSIEC must remain focused and proceed with the elections. Only an enemy of the State will try, out of selfish interest, to prevent the planned elections.
“I was surprised to see so much recently circulating on social media about next month's survey.
“Why would anyone wait until now before raising any objections to the survey or those in charge? We have been showing concern over the way the ruling party in the state has been spending our collective money.
“Any reasonable person in Osun would know that OSIEC has committed a lot in these elections. Our party, together with other political parties in the state, including APC, held a meeting with OSIEC a few months ago where we all passed a vote of confidence in the Hassim Abioye-led commission.
“The images don't lie. The All Progressives Congress representative was there and raised no objections to the move. He was there throughout the meeting accepting everything we did that day.
“Why take steps that could jeopardize the process now? We are all clamoring for the autonomy of local governments, how are we going to live it when some people plan to stop the elections?
“Things are not going well at the grassroots in Osun since the state governors hijacked their administration, now that we are hoping to have people democratically elected at the local level, some are planning to send us back to square one. By no means.
“Furthermore, the Commission has spent an enormous amount of state resources preparing for the council elections since January last year, hence the need to go all the way.”
Odeyemi, however, called on OSSIEC not to be deterred from putting everything in order and ensuring a free and fair local government election in the state.
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