The local government elections held across Ogun State on Saturday have sparked widespread outrage, with allegations of irregularities, voter intimidation, and outright fraud dominating the discourse.
Olalekan Alex Shoyinka, the Chairmanship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for Abeokuta South Local Government, has described the exercise as a “travesty of democracy” and “armed robbery” of the people’s mandate.
In a strongly worded statement, Shoyinka accused the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to disenfranchise voters and manipulate the election results.
“What transpired today was not an election conducted by OGSIEC but a premeditated operation orchestrated by the APC to rob the people of their mandate,” Shoyinka alleged.
He claimed that electoral officers and materials were deliberately withheld from multiple polling units in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, leaving many voters unable to exercise their rights.
“OGSIEC and the APC openly perpetrated a systemic disenfranchisement of citizens.
In many polling units, electoral officers and materials were nowhere to be found,” he said.
The few polling units where voting reportedly took place were described as “crime scenes,” marred by violence and voter harassment.
At St Joseph Primary School, Isabo (Ward 11, Units 13 and 14), Shoyinka alleged that thugs assaulted party agents, voters, independent observers, and journalists.
Ballot boxes were reportedly stuffed under the supervision of aides to elected officials.
Shoyinka further highlighted instances of open fraud across the 15 wards in Abeokuta South, accusing those in power of engaging in acts that undermine the integrity of the democratic process.
“This was not rigging; it was armed robbery of the people’s trust and hopes for a fair process,” he said.
Shoyinka said he rejected the entire electoral process and called on Ogun State residents to demand transparency and accountability.
“As citizens, we must speak in one voice against this subversion of the common will.
“Ogun State deserves better. Democracy deserves better,” he concluded.
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