It is worrisome and very unfortunate to see people with high level of education and occupying vantage positions in the society behaving like toddlers and messing up their reputable status in the society. Most especially when such people are saddled with the responsibility of changing development trajectory and improving the state of things, to indulge in activities capable of dragging their personality in the mud or plunge the society into crisis rather than advancing the state of things.
It is no news that the Lagos State Government has begun the process of conducting local government polls as contained in the statutory elections notice published by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Tuesday, 20th April, 2021 by its Chairman, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Philips (rtd).
Sequel to the above, the Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a 16-man election committee headed by the Deputy Governor, H.E. Obafemi Hamzat with the task of setting modalities and guidelines for the primary elections in the forthcoming local government elections so as to uphold the values of fairness, justice and equity which the party holds in high esteem. As a result, the committee is mandated to providing a level playing ground for all aspirants and to create an atmosphere for free, fair, credible and an all inclusive process across the state for the emergence of party faithfuls who want to contest for the positions of Chairmen and Councillors.
However, the good people of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government are deeply worried and disappointed in the Deputy Governor for the demoralising development from his end as the Chairman of the election committee. We found the development unbelievable and unbefitting of someone of his calibre given the trust reposed in him as a credible public servant with 'proven' integrity. The people in Ifako-Ijaiye are fully aware of the antics of the Deputy Governor in subverting the primary election process in favour of his brother, who is contesting for the chairmanship position in the local government.
We therefore demand for undiluted objectivity from our second citizen in the state. We hold you in high esteem and cherish your personality so much that we found it hard to believe this ugly and disturbing development until we confirmed it from the source ourselves. One of the boys from the Deputy Governor's brother's campaign team was seen boasting around at a point that the Deputy Governor who doubles at the Chairman of the election committee has given his words on using his influence and all his best possible as the Chairman of the committee to make his brother scale through the primary election process and have the sole ticket of the party at the end.
Thus, as a people who believe in fairness and transparency, we feel slighted with this development and urge the Deputy Governor to drop the pranks because the entire people of Ifako-Ijaiye LG will resist in its entirety any form of hanky panky or malpractice noticed in the process. The process should be free, fair and credible. Any attempt towards undermining due process and transparency would be jettisoned.
Nonetheless, local government is the closest government to the people and as people in the grassroot, we know our people very well and we understand what's good for us. We do not need a stranger to force us to eat what we dislike because we are ready to take our destinies in our hands so as to make our future brighter and better for the coming generations. Hence, all strangers should stay clear and allow the people to speak for themselves. We will resist any impostor because we are educated and exposed enough to understand our situation and to determine what's good for us and vice versa.
In conclusion, we appeal passionately to the leadership of All Progressives Congress in the state to caution the Deputy Governor or better still, appoint another member of the election committee to take charge of Ifako-Ijaiye primary elections. It is worthy of note that Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government has been one of the most peaceful local governments in the state and the people are known for their friendliness and cooperation which is responsible for the harmony in the various communities in the local government. We are putting this article forth to alert the leadership of the party of this ugly development and to avert crisis it could trigger if care is not taken.
We look forward to your prompt response as we anticipate a free, fair and credible electoral process on May 29th primary elections.
By
*CONCERNED APC MEMBERS IN IFAKO-IJAIYE LGA.*
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