Emmanuel OchayiAPC Sweeps Ogun Local Government Elections
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in all local councils’ chairmanship and councillorship elections held across Ogun State. This was announced by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) on Sunday morning, amidst allegations of electoral malpractice.
The elections, which covered all 20 local government areas and 236 electoral wards, were contested by 19 political parties. However, the APC’s dominance left the opposition parties questioning the fairness of the process.
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The major opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP), have criticised the conduct of the elections.
Speaking after the results were announced, PDP representative Samuel Adebayo said, “This election was marred by intimidation and irregularities. The APC used its influence to undermine the democratic process.”
Other opposition parties, such as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), echoed these sentiments, calling the elections “a sham.” They alleged that electoral officials favoured the APC and that voters in some areas faced harassment.
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OGSIEC Defends Election Process
Despite these allegations, Babatunde Osibodu, the Chairman of OGSIEC, maintained that the elections were conducted fairly.
“613,156 votes were cast during the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas. We ensured the participation of all 19 political parties,” Osibodu stated during a live broadcast from OGSIEC headquarters in Abeokuta.
He listed participating parties, including the Accord Party (AP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and others, emphasizing the inclusivity of the process.
Delayed Start Raises Questions
Observers noted that voting began late in several polling units across Ogun State, with some stations opening only in the afternoon. This delay led to criticism from opposition parties, who argued it disenfranchised many voters.
“The late start was a deliberate attempt to frustrate voters in strongholds of the opposition,” claimed ADC’s spokesperson, Tunde Akintola.
However, OGSIEC attributed the delays to logistical challenges, stating that measures were taken to ensure all eligible voters could participate.
APC Celebrates Victory
Following the announcement, APC leaders in Ogun State celebrated their clean sweep of all the seats. An APC spokesperson described the results as “a testament to the party’s grassroots appeal.”
“This victory shows the trust the people of Ogun have in the APC’s leadership and vision for development,” said Adekunle Adebayo, an APC leader in Abeokuta.
Calls for Electoral Reform
As the dust settles, opposition parties and civil society organisations are calling for electoral reforms in Ogun State.
“We cannot continue to have elections where results are predetermined. The people deserve a transparent process,” said activist Folake Johnson.
The outcome of the Ogun local government elections has left the political landscape divided, with the APC asserting its dominance and the opposition calling for accountability. Whether these allegations will lead to further investigations remains to be seen.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
