The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Ondo State has accused both the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the Labour Party(LP) for allegedly frustrating the conclusion the April 5 Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency bye-election.
Speaking with journalists in Akure on Thursday, the party also alleged that the State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko had embarked on a mission to procure a compromised security report from the Department of State Security (DSS) on the inconclusive bye-election.
The party’s Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adams said the said report is intended to falsify details of activities on the day of the inconclusive election, stating that PDP had expected INEC to commence the process of concluding the elections in areas where election did not hold since it declared it inconclusive, instead of succumbing to the intrigues of the LP.
“Since the election was declared inconclusive, it is our expectation that the Independent National Electoral Commission should by now have concluded arrangements to conduct the outstanding election in Arogbo 2 and other polling units.
“That is not the case as it has in deference to a court action instituted by Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his Labour Party, suspended all actions in this respect.
“To say the least, the action is callous, the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency desire that the election be concluded forthwith so that their representative can assume duty in the House of Representatives”, Adams said.
The PDP said the LP was exploring the court to make the desire of the people to have their representative elected unrealisable.
“However, we are not surprised that the Labour Party in spite of its claims to being popular and acceptable is doing all it cam to frustrate the conclusion of the election because it understands fully that it will fail woefully whenever the election is concluded,” he said.
The party leader commended the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency for their patience assuring them that the election will be concluded soon.
However, in a swift reaction, the Chairman of LP in Ondo State, Dele Akinyele challenged the opposition PDP to provide evidence of the allegation, stating that it was not the duty of the party or government in power to write security report.
“That clearly falls within the purview of the DSS and they have since submitted same about the election to the appropriate quarters including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” Akinyele said.
He asked the opposition party to stop raising false accusation and be ready to explain their actions and inaction at the law court.
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