PRESS STATEMENT  

 ENAHORO GROUP CAUTIONS AC, PDP ON ELECTORAL CRISIS

The Lagos State branch of Chief Anthony Enahoro led National Reformation Party, NRP has cautioned the Lagos State House of Assembly not to impose its decision to conduct elections into the controversial 57 Local government areas but to try as much as possible to reach a consensus with all stakeholders so as to make the forthcoming local government elections credible.

Lagos NRP, at the end of its 2-day tactical commission parley in Lagos on Sunday, also warned the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, to avoid a situation, where it would also be perceived by majority of the stakeholders as scheming to foist government whims and caprices on them, stating that such perception will inhibit the credibility of the elections, expected to generate popular grassroots governance in the state.

advertisement

Addressing the press at end of the meeting, where the party briefed its 57 LG coordinators in preparation for the October 11, LG polls, Hon Dare Falade, chairman of the party’s state tactical commission said LASIEC should try as much as possible to be unbiased in the processes leading to the forth coming Local governments’ elections in Lagos and not to betray vested interest that can foist unwarranted crisis in the state.

Falade said the decision to conduct elections into 57 LGs should rather be consensus based and stakeholders’ driven and should not be imposed or controversy shrouded in the interest of Lagosians, who will ultimately bear the brunt of the attendant imbroglio that may arise from such political bickering.

“We wish to caution both AC and PDP in Lagos state, in the interest of the toiling masses of the state, to immediately sheathe their swords to allow for more consultations and political consensus on the festering controversy of the numbers of Local Government areas into which elections will be conducted come October 11” Falade counselled The NRP however commend the decision of the Lagos state government to pursue true federalism by seeking to create more Local Government areas and affirming its ideal autonomy within the Nigerian federation. This action the party averred will also help to bring governance and
development closer to the grassroots.

But the party was quick to note that the drive for true federalism and grassroots governance can only be resourceful and effective, when they are free from political acrimony and mutual distrust. Falade therefore charged LASIEC to facilitate more consultations in brokering a truce on the stalemate, rather than use fiat, to avoid heating the polity further.

Present at the at the party tactical briefing are some of the state leaders of the party, which includes, Otunba Tola Ayeni, Alhaji A
Balogun from Kosofe, Chief Mrs Homes, Comrade Sola Justice, Youth Leader, Che Olawale Okunniyi,who represented the national Chairman, Chief Anthony Enahoro among other notable party chieftains, who mobilised their constituencies to the meeting.

Signed
Olubori Obafemi
Media Assistan