A group under the aegies of Ogo Oluwa Youth Alliance (OYA) is demanding the withdrawal of one of the candidates for the House of Representatives in the 2023 general elections, Mr Adedeji Adesoji Michael coming up in few days time.
Mr Adedeji Adesoji Michael is seeking to represent the Ogo Oluwa/Surulere federal constituency in the said election.
The group says the call on Mr Adedeji to withdraw from the race became imperative in view of the fact that he is yet to clear his name on the allegation of double nomination under two political parties levelled against him which may affect the chance of Ogo Oluwa the opportunity of producing the next representative at the lower chamber of the national Assembly.
Adedeji, the group recalled has been earlier accused in a petition written by Abiodun Adegbite Esq. from the chambers of Flash Solicitors in behalf of one Mr Yekeen Lateef Abiola to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of double nomination as candidate for two different political parties (LP and PRP) in the House of Representatives election.
However, Mr Adedeji has since denied the allegation, describing it as antics from his opponents to scuttle his political ambition.
But in a communique issued at the end of the emergence meeting held in Ajaawa, Monday afternoon and signed by its Coordinator, Oyewole Abraham and Secretary, Aremu Segun, the group noted that the call on Mr Adedeji to withdraw from the race became imperative so as not to jeopardize the opportunIty of having a candidate from Ogo Oluwa local government as their next representative in the National Assembly.
The communique reads: The attitude and character of one of the candidates seeking to represent the Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency in the fast approaching general elections, Mr Adedeji Adesoji Michael is questionable, laughable, and ridiculous. It is surprising that despite initial denial of being nominated by two different political parties, i.e Labour Party (LP) and People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Mr Adedeji’s picture has been seen in posters as candidate of the Labour Party until yesterday when his picture was also surfaced in another posters with the PRP presidential candidate, Mr Kolawole Abiola, a development which confirms the fact that he was truly nominated to contest under two political parties.
We wondered how or why Mr Adedeji could engage in such childish act knowing fully well how important this election is for us in Ogo Oluwa local government that has not had the opportunity of producing the representative since 1999.
To set the record straight, his alleged double nomination under two political parties for the same position violates the provision of the amended Electoral Act, 2022 which forbids a candidate to present himself or herself for the same election.
Our concern about this development is that where a candidate knowingly allows himself to be nominated by more than one political party or in more than one constituency, his nomination shall be void. Therefore, with the fact stated above, we don’t want a situation whereby our representatives’ eligibility to contest will be challenged or upturned by the court after the election.
It is necessary to advise Mr Adedeji to let the interest of the collective people of Ogo Oluwa local government be paramount to him and desist from action that may jeopardize our chance. His appearance on the posters and fliers of both Labour Party and People’s Redemption Party is creating confusion for the good people of Ogo Oluwa local government who are yet to know his motive behind this childish game.
It is a moral burden for him to continue in this race at a time we are optimistic that it is our time in Ogo Oluwa to produce the next representative that will represent our federal constituency having been marginalised for a long time.
We will therefore not fold our arms and allow anything or any individual to destroy our chance this time around.” The communique concluded.
