Boluwatife Adedokun
A Civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds, says if the governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led government wants to conduct Local Government elections before it leaves office in November, then it must only do so if all stakeholders, including the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, are carried along and all relevant laws are obeyed.
The amalgamation of several civil society groups stated this at its STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS for AUGUST 2022.
While addressing journalists today, Executive Director of The Osun Masterminds, Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, noted that if the present government deems it necessary to conduct The Local Government election, it must be about leaving a proper legacy of inclusive governance and not setting landmines for his successor.
He said “The Local Government election is long overdue, but if the present government thinks it necessary to conduct, it must be about leaving a proper legacy of inclusive governance and not setting landmines for his successor. While there is a really narrow line between these two, we believe that with inclusive planning, the fears will be addressed and the State will be the ultimate winner.
We are also aware of the accusations and counter accusations between the APC and the PDP over the rumoured intention of the Oyetola-led government to conduct Local Government elections before he leaves office in November and we wish to state unequivocally that if the current government deems it fit to conduct a Local Government election, it must only do so if all stakeholders, including the PDP, are carried along and all relevant laws are obeyed. We are a people governed by laws and must ensure that we do not at any point in time, fail to obey the laws of our land.”
The group congratulated the Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory, and acknowledged the setting up of a Transition Committee by him, stating that The step should facilitate smooth handover of power to him in November.
His words “TOM wishes to seize this opportunity to congratulate the Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, for his victory in the Governorship election and we wish him well for the future, as he takes on the onerous task of managing the affairs of our dear State”
However, Dr. Oyedokun-Alli urged the committee to ensure that it only carries out the duty of liaising with the Oyetola-led government to ensure a smooth transition, and not become a clog in the wheel of governance, as The present government has a mandate until the 27th of November, 2022.
“. However, we counsel that the committee ensures that it only carries out the duty of liaising with the Oyetola government to ensure a smooth transition, not become a clog in the wheel of governance. The present government has a mandate until the 27th November and must be allowed to discharge its duties until the last day in office. As there cannot be two governments in a State, the transition committee cannot in good faith, constitute itself into a government that will issue edicts and orders at will”
The Osun Masterminds commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the positive improvements recorded during the 2022 Osun governorship election.
The group, however condemned the widespread vote buying that characterized the election process, and called on INEC to make stricter arrangements to its election day guidelines such that vote buying can be made inefficient, thereby becoming unattractive to political gladiators.
“We also found it discomforting, that while vote buying and selling went down recklessly across the polling centres on July 16, men of the various security agencies present, were indifferent to the act, in most cases. We observed that while the security agents did well with securing the elections, most of them looked on as agents recklessly purchases votes in centres across the State. In terms of vote buying, July 16 was a new low for Osun people and we condemn the act in its entirety.”
