The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee in Ogun State, Abayomi Sanyaolu, has urged all political parties that participated in the House of Representatives Saturday by-election for the seat of Remo Federal constituency to accept the results declared by INEC in good faith.
He recently revealed that any political party that is unhappy with the result, which named the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji, winner, should head to court.
Speaking at a briefing held in Abeokuta, the IPAC Chairman, Sanyaolu, revealed that suing is better than engaging in any act capable of hurting the peaceful coexistence of the residents of the state.
According to him, the electoral law states that as soon as INEC declares the results of a poll, the only option left for aggrieved participants in that electoral process is to approach a competent court of jurisdiction to seek redress.
He stated that the peace that has reigned in the state thus far cannot be jeopardized in any way.
“Though other political parties also participated in the by-election but the Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mrs Ayoola Elegbeji, as the winner of the poll. So, as the Chairman of IPAC in the state, what is left to do is to call for the unity of all. We don’t want violence, all that we want is peace for the state to continue to make progress.
Our duty is to relate with other political parties and to advise that we all give peace a chance, there must be no bloodshed or crisis after the election. If any of the political parties that participated in the by-election is not satisfied with the conduct of the election, the best thing to do is to go to court to seek redress.
I could remember that during the local government election held in the state last year, we had some issues with the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission and we went to court and got our judgment against them.
In this wise too, if you are having any misgivings over the last Saturday Remo Federal constituency by-election, don’t take the law into your hands. Go to court to seek redress and let the peace that we have continued to enjoy in the state prevail,” he said.
Also speaking, the factional National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Comrade Oginni Olaposi, also urged anyone unhappy with the by-election results to approach the court to express his or her grievance over its conduct.
He concluded by saying that he personally witnessed a free and fair election, and he won’t be forced to say otherwise because he is an opposition member.
“I want to say that the election went the way it went because the governor, who is the leader of the ruling party, is from Remoland, Iperu Remo to be precise.
And we should not forget that the multi-billion naira mega project of the Agrocargo airport is sited in that region. So the by-election became an opportunity for the people of Remo land to show their appreciation to the governor and therefore voted massively for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
So, I won’t say that as an opposition party member, the election was rigged or compromise, I think what swing the vote in favor of the ruling party and the governor is that multi billion naira airport project which will serve as a good alternative to the one in Lagos and also help to decongest the airport in Lagos.
The opposition parties should just go back to the drawing board and see how we can do better next time. We should not say that we want to bring the roof down because our parties did not win. And if we feel aggrieved, let’s approach a competent court to seek redress. So I am appealing for peace and understanding, there is always another day to put up a better performance in the future election,” he added.
