Kunle Adelabu
A chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and former Minister of Works, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, has stated that the delay in the release of the official results for the Assembly election in most places is because of cheating perpetrated by some people and failure to follow the laid down procedures.
Sen. Ogunlewe, who participated in the entire primary elections voting at Ward C1, Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo, however, lauded the primary election process, and described it as credible and transparent.
The elder statesman spoke with THE IMPACT at the Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo, during the Presidential primary election.
“One must appreciate the party at the national level for encouraging the e-registration of members. At the ward level, we know the total number of registered members because everything is stored in the computer system. Members have cards, and only registered members were allowed to vote during the primaries.
“As you can see, the process is easy, credible, and transparent. Once you can identify yourself as a party member, you are eligible to vote. The process has been very well organized”.
Senator Ogunlewe, speaking on the delay in releasing Assembly election results, said:
“The delay happened because the proper procedure was not followed. The procedure is simple: everyone should come with their membership card. Since the registration is computerized, nobody can forge, add, or subtract names.
“Problems only arise when people attempt to cheat by importing individuals who are not registered members of the party. At the ward level, we know ourselves. We know who registered during the exercise, so outsiders should not be able to interfere”.
He said further in his explanation:
“That is why issues arose in some wards. Otherwise, there would be no problem, because the exercise is based on e-registration. You cannot add or remove names”.
The party leader advocated for rerun of the primary election where there are issues, and urged against manipulation of the process.
“If there is any issue, they should simply conduct the process again, using the same registered members. Let the votes of party members count. That is what will strengthen us ahead of the general elections.
“Do not manipulate the process. If party members do not want a particular aspirant, do not impose that person on them. If you impose candidates against the will of the members, the party may lose during the general elections, because members will not support that candidate”.
The GAC chieftain appealed to the leadership of the party to allow internal democracy to prevail by letting members determine their choice of candidates.
“I appeal to the leadership to let the voice of party members prevail. Do not short-change them or play politics with the process. Let party members decide who their candidate will be”.
