ALL things being equal, the much anticipated elections into the 20 council areas in Ogun State would hold on Saturday, to lay to rest rumours, anxiety, fear and uncertainty surrounding the conduct of the election, since the present administration came on board. This is coming 19 months after the expiration of the tenure of chairmen and councilors, who exited office on December 27, 2010.The silence of the state government on the council polls at the tail end of 2011 had created so much concern for political parties, including members of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who nursed fears that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration might toe the line of other states in the country, which failed to conduct council government elections for the period they held sway.But the setting up of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), few months ago appeared to have doused the anxiety.What later came as a serious threat to the July 21 election was the intra-party wrangling in the ACN and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which brought about submission of two different lists by each faction of the parties, coupled with court injunctions to stop the electoral umpire.While the crisis within the ACN was due to alleged imposition of candidates, allegedly by Gov. Amosun, that of the PDP was based on identifying which of the factions is the authentic executive body of the party in the state. Each faction in the two parties claimed its list is authentic, which eventually caused rupture in the rank and file of both parties, creating doubts on the possibility of the polls coming to reality.But while the ACN adopted reconciliatory measures to solve its crisis, PDP dragged itself to the court of law, to determine which of the factions is authentic. This worsened situation of things as a Lagos High Court ruled that the polls should be put on hold pending the determination of a suit by one of the factions.According to investigations, the crisis in the ACN is still unresolved despite plea by the governor to aggrieved party members to sheathe their sword for the progress of the party. Aside those who shunned the reconciliatory meeting, fresh facts are beginning to emerge on failure of party leaders at the local governments level to follow the zoning formula already on ground for selecting cabinet members in the election that is yet to be conducted.This has further torn the party apart. Political analysts are of the view that the present crisis would serve as a litmus test for the party in the state. This is hinged on the fact that the crisis that started last May, during the tour of the governor to the councils, has already created acrimony within the part. He was alleged to have used the tour to handpick his choice of candidates for the polls.Though Amosun debunked the allegation of imposition of candidates, aggrieved party members in Ijebu North, Odeda, Yewa North and Remo North local councils protested the 'injustice', accusing the party leadership of bias. They also threatened to dump the party during the polls.An instance was the alleged vandalisation of the Senatorial office of Senator Gbenga Obadara in Abeokuta by aggrieved supporters on May 30,over imposition of chairmanship candidate on Odeda local government.The Senator was accused of imposing the candidate on them. Some youths staged two separate protests on June 7 and 13 at the party's headquarters in Abeokuta. The latter was foiled by the Police, allegedly due to a tip off by party officials.But despite what appeared to be the last peace move on Friday, June 29 and the just concluded campaign rally of Amosun to the 20 local governments to unite party members for victory on Saturday, affected aspirants and their supporters, who claimed to have been cheated in the scheme of things are threatening fire and brimstone. Analysts claimed that such stance is capable of jeopardising the chances of the ruling party from achieving landslide victory in the poll, thereby giving its close rival, PDP an opportunity to launch attack.But even the PDP is not without its own share of crisis. The crisis is believed to be the offshoot of crisis that polarised the party ahead of the April 2011 general election. The two factions now operating, one loyal to former president Olusegun Obasanjo and the other to Buruji Kashamu, a party chieftain in the state had presented two separate lists of candidates.Two different Court rulings gave recognition to the list of both factions. While a High Court sitting in Ilaro ruled that the latter's list should be recognised, a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Charles Archibong, a week after ruled that list of candidates of the faction loyal to Obasanjo should be recognised.He ruled that the electoral umpire should put on hold the conduct of the election pending the hearing of a suit instituted against the Commission and its principal officers.Based on the predicament of the two major parties, many people are of the opinion that the development could be to the advantage of the other 12 political parties contesting in the council polls.But the former chairman of PDP, Chief Joju Fadairo said the party is fully ready. He claimed that PDP is united, saying there is no faction in the party in the state.'PDP is fully prepared for the council polls and as we normally do, we try to reach out to people through campaigns. Whether we are in power or otherwise, it wouldn't matter, it depends on the people and they are ready to vote for us. We are working tirelessly, we are reaching out to people and we'll soon do our mega rally,' he said.He urged party members to move out en masse and vote PDP back to power in order to experience 'true dividends of democracy, which the party is known for.'On his part, the ACN state chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, who debunked the claim of candidate imposition, pledged that the partywould not disappoint other aspirants who failed to get election tickets.He urged them to remain committed to ACN ideals and abide by the rules and regulations, as well as contents of undertaken signed with the party.The question on the lips of political watchers within and outside the state is whether the election would hold and if OGSIEC is prepared, considering the lingering challenges surrounding the conduct of a free and fair election.The chairman of the Screening Committee of OGSIEC, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, who spoke to The Guardian in Abeokuta, affirmed that thecommission is fully ready to conduct the Saturday's polls. 'Of course, we are ready for the election, we are prepared and we are set. All the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are ready. As I am talking to you now, the training of election personnel has been concluded.'He noted that the personnel to be used during the election are qualified and properly screened; saying that in terms of security, necessary preparations have been concluded.Agboke stressed that the said ruling of Justice Archibong, which many claimed would amount to contempt of Court if the commission goes ahead to conduct the poll, is being misinterpreted by people. He said the judge did not give a categorical order to stop the commission from conducting the polls.As political gladiators wait for Election Day, it is widely believed that the success or failure of the council polls would speak volume of the credibility of governor Amosun led administration.
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