Exclude Us, Face Litigations : ACD,21 Other Political Parties Threatenes OGSIEC

ABEOKUTA - About 22 political parties in Ogun state have vowed to challenge the outcome of the forthcoming local government elections in the state at the Court of Law if they were not registered on the ballot paper.

The parties accused the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC of excluding them from participating in the forthcoming council polls in the state. 

The 22 political parties allegedly excluded include; Advanced Congress of Democratic (ACD), Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), All Blending Party( ACP), All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Alliance Social Democrats (ASD), Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Democratic People's Congress (DPC), and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN). 

Others are Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), New Generation Party of Nigeria) NGP), Nigeria for Democracy (NFD), People Coalition Party (PCP), Progressive People Alliance (PPA), People for Democratic Change (PDC), Young Democratic Party (YDP), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP), Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), United Democratic Party (UDP), United Patriots (UP) and We the People Nigeria (WTPN). 

The political parties in a petition written by their counsel, Olusoji Oduntan and addressed to the OGSIEC chairman, Babatunde Osibodu alleged that the electoral body excluded the 22 political parties by not contacting or informing them on the arrangement made for the forthcoming poll in the state. 

Oduntan noted that the action of the OGSIEC is an infringement on the constitutional right of the 22 political parties. 

He stressed that the alleged exclusion by the electoral body is against the electoral act. 

The petition reads partly, "we are solicitors to advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and other 21 political parties hereinafter collectively referred to as "Our Clients" and on their behalf and instruction we write their letter.

"Our Clients have informed us that your commission has fixed the 24th day july , 2021 for the local Government Election in Ogun state. 

"That your commission has concluded plan plans to exclude them from participating in the said election since you have made no effort to contact or inform them on the proposed election;

"It appears therefore that our clients have been intentionally excluded from taking part in the upcoming Local Government Election which is against the spirit and intendment of the Electoral Act, 2021 as amended. It is clear infringement on the constitutional right of our clients to vote or to be voted for at elections." 

The 22 political parties however demanded to be allow to register and lister as participants in the forthcoming LG poll. 

The Political Parties threatened to take legal action against the commission if the necessary adjustment is not make. 

The 22 political parties in the petition further threatened to challenge the outcome of the LG poll if the Commission don't allow them to participate. 

The petition also read, "our clients hereby apply through this medium to be register and listed for the upcoming Local government Election by your commission without any further and unnecessary delay.

"We would advise your commission to be guided by the Court of Appeal judgement in Appeal No. CA / ABJ/ CV/ 507/ 2020 wherein the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was mandated by the court of Appeal to relist our Clients as duly registered political parties in Nigeria. 

"A copy of the said Judgement is attached herewith for ease of reference instruction is to inform your commission that unless necessary arrangements are made to ensure our clients' participation and involvement in the proposed Local government Election in Ogun state scheduled to hold on the 24th July 2021, the outcome thereof shall be challenged and tested in the Court of Law by our clients."