Date Published: 12/06/09

Reps election: Call the riggers to order

The Ondo State Government has condemned in strong terms the attempt by known functionaries of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to subvert the peoples will in the just concluded election in Akoko South East and Akoko South West Federal Constituency.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Ranti Akerele said the role played by Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and the other two legislators is unbecoming of men purportedly elected into high office and ought to be condemned.

“To have left their exalted offices, moved away from their constituencies and attempted to violate the processes of a free and fair poll, all in the bid to foist an unpopular candidate on the people and again subvert the democratic process, is irresponsible.

“We ask that the National Assembly call the fingered members to order or at least reprimand them,” he said.

The statement added that the Government now knows why it has proven so difficult to conclude the electoral reform process, as some of the occupants of the hallowed legislators chambers are themselves clogs in the wheel of a timely and progressive reform.

While commending the electorates in the area for their maturity in not taking the laws into their hands on sighting those who planned to rig, the government said it feels that the police, which had demonstrated commendable traits in recent times, must not allow the case to be swept under the carpet.

Akerele said: “We ask the police to, at the very least, make their findings in respect of the event in Akoko as it concerns Senator Ogunniya, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, representing Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency, Temitayo Fawehinmi of Ondo East and West Federal Constituency and Emmanuel Adedeji of Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo/Odigbo Federal constituency all in the House of Representatives, public.

“We are sure those whose mandates these men are enjoying did not expect them to meddle as they sought to do in the democratic process elsewhere,” Akerele added.

“We once again congratulate the people of Akoko South East and Akoko South West Federal Constituency for the historic achievement of being the first to send a Labour Party member of the House of Representative from our dear state.”

Finally, we say a big thank you to the media for unequalled vigilance.

Ranti Akerele

Commissioner for Information