The Kogi State Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Moses Peter Oricha has commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for their preparedness ahead of the October 19th 2024 Local Government elections.
Oricha gave the commendation in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja.
The SDP Chairman in Kogi who was highly elated with the preparations of the electoral body passed a vote of confidence on SIEC Chairman Mamman Eri.
“The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KOSIEC has been transparent in the build up to this forthcoming council election. The Commission had repeatedly reassured Kogite that they will conduct a Free, fair, credible and acceptable election that will reflect the will of the people. So far, they have leaved up to our expectations.
“SDP will continue to give the commission all the needed support to succeed in this State assignment. Am urging Kogites to come out on Saturday and exercise their franchise devoid of violence. Kogi State belongs to all of us, so we must be united to achieve Kogi State of our dream. I want to equally use this medium to commend IPAC for their doggedness in promoting good governance in Kogi State. Together, we will move Kogi State forward,” he stated.
It could be recalled that the Moses Peter Oricha faction of Social Democratic Party, (SDP) was recognized by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC)
to participate in the October 19th 2024 Local Government election.
In a recent investigation conducted by IPAC, led by it Chairman, Iliyas Badanga, Secretary, Ajodo Moses and Advisory Council Alternative (ADR) Committee Chairman, Abdullahi Momoh, the body passed the following resolution dated 14th October, 2024.
“Mose Peter Oricha, the current SDP chairman was not suspended from his Ward, neither was he suspended from the Local Government. It beholds on the party rules and regulations that due process of the law guiding the suspension of substantive chairman be removed without following the due process was not followed.
“That any chairman elected under the congress held in the State cannot be suspended arbitrarily without fair hearing. The Inter Party Advisory Council Alternative Dispute Resolution having melded into the SDP crisis, in Kogi State as adopted by IPAC code of conduct as amended in, 2018 states as follows; that after thorough investigation in compliance with, the tenureship of an elected: congress chairman of the party, he or she cannot be removed without proper/due process of the law by the party’s constitution.
“In the case of Moses Peter Oricha, the current SDP chairman Known by our laws and as investigated by our department saddled to handle inter party squabbles, IPAC has resolved that Moses Peter Oricha, the current SDP chairman and his led executive members be fully recognized to participate in the Local Government election that will be organized by Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) scheduled to hold on the 19″ October, 2024.”
IPAC admonished Kogites to disassociate themselves from the Sam Abenemi led SDP in Kogi State noting that they are acting on illegalities.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC) says it recognized Moses Peter Oricha faction of Social Democratic Party, (SDP) to participate in the forthcoming council polls.
Addressing Journalists in Lokoja, the Chairman of KOSIEC, Hon. Mamman Eri promised that the electoral body will conduct a free, fair and credible election this Saturday
“It is just few days to the council election. We have been fair to all the parties. Recently, I got an information that the Judge has written to the Chief Judge to allocate the case to another Judge because he felt he won’t be able to give verdict before the election.
“Immediately I heard that, I decided to call the Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) to wade into the matter. They did their findings and came out their resolutions.
“We didn’t just want to act on it but we decided to consult our legal department. It is important for every Citizens to know which of the faction is going into the election. It is the Moses Peter Oricha led SDP”.
He noted that 19 political parties will be participating in the election, assuring Kogites that their votes will count.
“As usual, sensitive materials will be distributed timely across the 21 Local Government of Kogi State. I want to assure the People of Kogi State that their votes will count. The election will be free, fair and credible”.
He appealed to the federal government to come to the aide of Kogi State noting that flood disaster is controllable. He added that a total of 420 community have been displaced in Kogi State.
