….challenges OGSIEC on free, fair polls
The Ogun State chapter of Labour Party (LP) on Thursday said it will resists every move by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) from manipulating the outcome of November 16th Local Government elections in the State.
The Party therefore called on the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to allow the people’s votes count, during the forthcoming council elections, scheduled to take place on November 16, in all the 20 local government areas in the State.
The Chairman of Labour Party in the State, Engr Lookman Jagun, made the call in Abeokuta, while flagging off campaign for the council election in the State.
According to Jagun, the party is
aware of the plans of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to rig the election, saying that LP will resist it with the help of the people of Ogun state, who are yearning for change of government, especially at the grassroot.
He said, “we are aware of the plans of the ruling party to rig the election as Governor Dapo Abiodun has openly declared that APC will win the election in the entire twenty Chairmanship positions and 236 Councillorship position in the state based on the scorecard of the party. If I may ask, what is the scorecard of the APC? APC has brought nothing but hunger, misery, poverty, suffering, and tears to the people”.
“Their plan is to rig the election, but we are going to resist it with the help of the impoverished and pauperised people of Ogun state”.
“The Chairman of OGSIEC has a golden opportunity to write his name in gold by conducting a free, fair and credible election. He has a choice of either making the votes of the people count or being a puppet of the state government. The governor also has the same opportunity of writing his name in gold by allowing the will of the people to prevail, as demonstrated by their votes at the polls”.
While describing LP as a major opposition party in the State, Jagun noted that the party is not just to contest the Local Government election, but “to offer hope in place of hopelessness; to offer progress as an alternative to retrogression, and a fresh vision that will put joy in the hearts of the people and smiles on their faces in our council areas and communities, in place of despondency”.
“Our local governments should be centers of infrastructural development, primary healthcare, service delivery, transparency and accountability. Unfortunately, the reverse has been the case. The majority of our people still lack access to basic social amenities like good roads, drainages, primary healthcare, portable water supply and quality primary education. We have watched as opportunities have been frittered and squandered, while the needs of the people have been ignored”.
“The Labour Party stands for a new beginning, a new dawn and a new era. A future where the interest of the good people of Ogun State comes first, far and above every other interest. A future where resources are managed and put to good use for the benefit of the people”, he said.
Jagun highlighted four cardinal objectives, which include;
infrastructural development,
agricultural revolution, provision of efficient primary healthcare system
as well as transparency and accountability.
“This campaign is not just about winning elections, it’s about restoring the dignity of our people. It’s about electing leaders who are accountable, responsive and ready to work tirelessly and selflessly to improve the lives of the good people of Ogun state at the Local Government. This election is a referendum to the ruling party at the state and national level, who have woefully failed the nation”.
“The Labour Party, as personified by Peter Obi, is known for honesty, prudence, character and the capacity to make a difference in governance”.
“As we flag off this campaign, I urge every one of you to spread the message of hope, change, and progress. Tell your neighbours, friends, and family that together, we can build a future we all deserve. Let us go forward with determination, unity, and faith in our collective strength to campaign and win this election. Our job has been made easy by the failure and abysmal record of APC. The people are yearning for a change. Let’s give them the change they deserve. I urge the good people of Ogun state to vote for all Labour Party candidates in the local government election”.
