ACTION CONGRESS USA (AC-USA )
PRESS RELEASE
“LET THE RE-BRAND START FROM EKITI”
Given travails that has beclouded the political terrain of Ekiti State and the determined resolve of the citizenry to have a say on who governs them, it is obvious that no one can successfully manipulate votes in Ekiti State of today.
The people of Ekiti deserve a respite.
Ekiti of all the states of the federation has enjoyed the awesome role of balking and thwarting the designs of the political class to impose unwanted leadership. Rewind to the myriad of events and power shows that followed the election of 2003 and the emergence of Governor Ayo Fayose as the PDP Governor of Ekiti. No sooner was he installed that challenges within his party ensued, culminating in the eventual hoisting of a semi-military Administrator and the exile of an apparently elected governor. It was under this charged atmosphere that preparations for the 2007 elections took place.
The choice of Dr. Oni as the flag bearer of the ruling PDP was not without its controversies. He apparently was hoisted in place of other contenders who beat him at the party primaries. Dr. Fayemi, a tried activist and proven progressive was the candidate of the Action Congress. Thus, a clear contest was set between the ruling PDP and a resurgent progressive opposition. And when the people made their choice, they chose a balanced State Hose of Assembly divided equally between the PDP and the AC. However, in the surge of the “do or die” conundrum championed by President Obasanjo, Dr. Oni was declared victorious by INEC. This Pyrrhic victory was challenged in the Electoral Tribunal and up to the Appeal Court, which finally nullified the results of specific wards and ordered a repeat election in only the cancelled wards.
As the “do or die” has mutated and is being translated to, “by all means possible, including the possible deployment of the military”, we say no to such inclinations that are aimed at cowing the opposition and intimidating the electorate. We welcome the opportunities and the good that must come out of this repeat go around, albeit limited, thus: that INEC in this limited contest has an opportunity to work for a fair and free election; that the Nigeria Police Force in this limited contest will insure and guarantee a peaceful and violence free election devoid of allegations of ballot snatching and out right intimidation of the Ekiti electorates; and that the Federal Government will allow th e people of Ekiti to begin the re-branding of the electoral process, by showing the world that Nigeria can after all conduct a free and fair election, where we can choose leaders without resorting to rigging, violence and intimidation.
As the campaigns come to an end, the choice between the past performance of the PDP and the demonstrable progressive vision of Dr, Fayemi is clear. As much as we urge support for Dr. Fayami, we equally plead and pray that the good people of Ekiti are allowed to freely and transparently choose their next Governor. INEC has the chance to turn a new page of improvement; the NPF must uphold its role without the presence of troops, and the country can demonstrate to the world that it has got=2 0it: the will to ensure a peaceful and rig free election process. Maybe, the much touted re-branding can truly begin with this contest.
The broom of progress has come to Ekiti to sweep away the trappings and agents of misgovernance and poverty. The broom of progress has come to gather the forces of progress20and unleash the potentials long bottled in the people of Ekiti.
Ekiti has been maligned enough. Ekiti deserves respite from political machinations. And let, the Re-branding, start with Ekiti.
Signed:
Ike Isama
Tony Ike Isama
Chairman, AC-USA.
