• Rejects Elections, Alleges Fraud, Voter Suppression
Olalekan Alex Shoyinka, the Chairmanship Candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for Abeokuta South Local Government, has denounced Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun State, describing the process as a “travesty of democracy” and “a state-sanctioned coup against the people’s mandate.”
In a statement issued shortly after the polls, Shoyinka accused the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) of working hand-in-hand with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disenfranchise voters and manipulate the process.
“What we witnessed today was not an election but a deliberate operation to rob the people of their right to choose their leaders,” he declared.
Allegations of Electoral Malpractice
Shoyinka alleged that electoral officers and materials were intentionally withheld in several polling units across Abeokuta South Local Government, preventing many voters from participating in the exercise.
He stated, “In numerous polling units, there were no electoral officials, and materials were not delivered. This is a glaring act of disenfranchisement that shows the entire process was compromised from the start.”
He highlighted specific cases of malpractice, including at St. Joseph Primary School, Isabo, Ward 11, Units 13 and 14, where he claimed that thugs disrupted the process.
“Thugs stormed the polling station, assaulting voters, party agents, and journalists. Ballot boxes were stuffed openly, with aides of elected officials supervising the operation under the instructions of their principals,” Shoyinka alleged.
Shoyinka further alleged that such incidents were not isolated but widespread across the 15 wards of Abeokuta South. “From physical intimidation of voters to the outright hijacking of materials, the APC and its collaborators in OGSIEC turned what should have been a democratic exercise into a shameless display of impunity,” he said.
Citizens Urged to Take a Stand
The ADP candidate called on Ogun State citizens to demand accountability from the electoral body and political leaders.
“This is not just an assault on the people of Abeokuta South but on democracy itself. If we do not speak up against this injustice, we risk losing the very essence of governance and fairness,” Shoyinka warned.
He added, “Ogun State deserves better. Democracy deserves better. The events of today are a wake-up call for all of us who value justice and the rule of law.”
Providing additional examples, Shoyinka noted that in several other wards, voting was disrupted or non-existent. He said, “I received reports from across the local government about voters being turned back, polling units without officials, and instances where people were threatened to vote for a particular party or leave the area.”
The ADP candidate also criticized OGSIEC for what he termed its failure to uphold the integrity of the election. “OGSIEC has lost every shred of credibility. They have shown today that they are not an independent body but a tool in the hands of the APC to subvert democracy,” Shoyinka stated.
Shoyinka concluded by urging the people of Ogun State to rise against electoral malpractice. “We must not allow this armed robbery of our democracy to stand. I reject this process outright and call on every well-meaning citizen to join in demanding accountability,” he said.
