From reports available to us, what is presently going on in Oyo state is not an election, it is a script, written and submitted to the Chairman of the supposed State ” Independent” Electoral Commission, Aare Isiaka Olaguju by the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde.
Some days ago, the drumbeat started in Ido where the Governor was waxing lyricals about ” tiwon and tiwa”.
Governor Makinde on the occassion sang a song about how this is his and PDP’s time to annexe the 33 Local Governments.
“Tiwa naa lo de e I fara moo, igba ti tiyin de e nsojika…” the Governor sang.
It is not unusual for Governor Makinde to sign such songs.
He never believed in the existence of the Local Governments ab initio.
However, what is most unfortunate is the fact that the Chairman of OYSIEC, except he will do the unthinkable by extricate himself at some point, have been dancing to the shameful drumbeats of the Governor and the PDP.
As we speak, reports of shoddy and illegality by OYSIEC is viral and prevalent across the 33 Local Governments.
I will use Ibarapa East, my own Local Government as a case study.
The Electoral Officer, One Mr. Tijani, A Deputy Clerk of the Oyo state House of Assembly refused to allow the APC monitor the distribution of sensitive materials.
He eventually invited thugs to beat up the Ibarapa East Local Government Party Chairman, Mr. Segun Ojediran and others who insisted on participating in the process as the Law provides.
As we speak, the gentlemen are in the hospital.
Sensitive election materials have been handed over to PDP Leaders in Lanlate and Eruwa.
Ballot papers and boxes are being witheld by OYSIEC and we have information that such are in custody of the PDP.
Where there are three polling units, the OYSIEC released the ballot box for just one and even for the ones released, ballot papers released are short.
We have confirmed reports that the OYSIEC EO for Ibarapa East Local Government, a staff under the Speaker of the House who is from Eruwa in Ibarapa East have released ballot papers and boxes for a Leader of the PDP whose residence is at Orita in Eruwa.
We have already written to the State Chairman of OYSIEC in this regard.
We have confirmed reports that the PDP will violently swap already thumbprinted ballot papers at some point and we have also notified Aare Isiaka Olaguju.
The same was done in 2021 and four lives were lost in the process.
Unfortunately, Aare Isiaka Olaguju still called the election in the favor of the PDP.
Will the Senior Advocate repeat the same condemnable act this time around?
Seyi Makinde have been beating the drums. Drums of shame and dishonor.
It will be interesting to watch whether Olagunju will still dance.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
