The attention of the Administrator of Okene local government council, Engr. Abdulrazaq Muhammad has been drawn to a statement credited to one of the House of Representatives aspirant in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries held in Okene.
Hajia Mariam Ozioma accused the Administrator of intimidating the delegates and voting for them which she described as an act of electoral irregularities.
The Council Administrator after studying the said statement wish not to join issues with the woman aspirant as a mark of his usual respect for women but will however make some clarifications and set the record straight.
1. No delegate was intimidated or prevented from voting for any aspirant as alleged. The election was conducted in line with the lay down rules and regulations as provided by the electoral officers.
2. Due to illiteracy level among the delegates, the electoral officers made provision for delegates who can not write to approach the agent of their desired aspirant for assistance. This was made public before the commencement of voting and all aspirants including Hajia Mariam consented to it.
3. To the best of my knowledge, Hajia Mariam left the venue of the exercise after all delegates have voted and counting begins while others stay behind including her agent to sign the result in the full glare of the public and the press.
While the humble Administrator encourage all aspirants to remain in active party politics and keep advancing their political ambitions, but they should be reminded that elections are not won or loss on the day of voting but takes period of hard work, loyalty and commitment to the political party of choice.
All Progressive Congress (APC) is a well structured political party from the ward to the national level. Hajia Mariam’s ambition is unknown to party hierarchy and even to the stakeholders in the constituency she desired to represent. She neither attend ward meetings of the party nor participate in any of the party’s activities.
The era where where people comes from no where with money to buy up delegates at the eve of the election is gone for good. Those who laboured to build the party must be allowed to also reap it dividends. Our delegates are elected party representatives, we will resist any attempt to manipulate or buy them overnight.
Signed:
Abdulmumin Abubakar
S. A Media to the Administrator
Okene LG.
