ACN Calls For Removal Of Oyo INEC Boss

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has called for the resignation of the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Reactions have continued to trail the recent attempt by six National of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff in Oyo State including the Head of Information Unit, Mr. Osunlola Akinyinka caught with INEC machines at Davies Hotel, Ibadan tampering with the voters register.

Oyo State chapter of CAN had alleged that the incident was a confirmation that the Resident Commissioner of the commission in the state, Mr. Ayo Adakeja is a tool in the hands of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and PDP stressing that Adakeja has compromised beyond imagination ahead of the forthcoming polls.

ACN has however called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega to immediately remove the Oyo State REC and replace him with a non-partisan, incorruptible and unbiased umpire who would be fair to all parties and guarantee the sanctity of the wish of the electorate as expressed through the ballot boxes.

According to a petition dated Tuesday 22 March 2011 and captioned, “Still on threat to credible April poll in Oyo State” signed by the Secretary of the party in the state, Wasiu Olatubosun, ACN asked Professor Jega to immediately remove the state REC.

The party said Osunlola could not be acting alone without the REC Commissioner as claimed by Jega.

The statement reads, “Available facts indicate that an official of Akinyinka’s rank who man a sensitive position like head of information unit cannot carry out such illegal activity without his immediate boss. Adakeja is not capable of providing level playing ground for all the parties”.

ACN alleged that Adakeja has been romancing Governor Akala for a very long time and had received financial benefits from the state governor who connived with Osunlola to perfect rigging of the forthcoming polls.

The party further alleged that millions of naira has been doled out to INEC staff by Akala.

Those who got copies of the petition include State Security Service (SSS), Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Adisa Baba Bolanta, state Civil Defence boss, GOC 2nd Div, EFCC, ICPC, Consular-General, and United States of America Embassy in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, a senatorial candidate under Oyo ACN, Chief Femi Lanlehin, has condemned attempt by INEC staff to rig the forthcoming election.

Chief Lanlehin told P.M.NEWS that all the concerned authorities should not handle the case with levity as the entire world is watching.

He stated that the police should not delay in prosecuting the offenders in the court of law.

—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan