The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ogun State chapter, has kicked against the N250,000 nomination fee imposed by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, OGISIEC, for the forthcoming local government election.
DAILY POST reports that OGISEC had on Thursday during a stakeholder meeting announced that the sum of N250,000 must be paid by the chairmanship candidates of the various political parties.
Chairman of the Commission, Babatunde Osibodu, explained that with the election slated for November 16, 2024, the male councillorship candidates are to pay N150,000 while the female will pay N100,000.
However, the ADC, in a statement signed by it chairman Itunu Abioro, on Saturday, described the fee as exorbitant and unacceptable.
The statement alleged that the fee was an attempt to manipulate the electoral system for personal financial gain.
The statement reads, “We vehemently reject this unjust and extortionate demand by OGSIEC and assert that as a party, we will not succumb to this fraudulent act.
“We find it especially disconcerting that OGSIEC is resorting to extorting aspiring candidates and exploiting the democratic process to generate funds for the governor.
“We firmly denounce any attempt to manipulate the electoral system for personal financial gain.
“Furthermore, we question the double standards exhibited by the electoral commission. When the governor himself contested, did he pay any money to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? The answer is a resounding NO. Similarly, none of the elected Ogun state house of assembly members were required to pay a penny to INEC. We strongly believe that such discriminatory practices tarnish the credibility of the electoral process.
“If OGSIEC intends to exclude other political parties from participating in the election, they should have the audacity to state it outright, rather than using unjust administrative charges as a means to achieve their hidden agenda.
Meanwhile the party urged other political parties to unite and join voices against the extortionate policy implemented by the electoral commission.
“We call on all stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the general public to join us in condemning this fraudulent act by Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission. Together, let us protect the integrity of our democratic system and ensure that the voice of the people is not silenced through extortion.”
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