ACN, PDP, CPC, others disagree over by-election time table

By MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

LAGOS — LAGOS State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, yesterday, released the time table for the by-election in Ward ‘A’ Alayabiagba in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.

This came as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, among others, disagreed over the timetable released by the state electoral commission.

Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Abdul-Fatai Adeyinka who released the time table during a meeting with political parties held at the commission’s Secretariat, Yaba, said  the  the released of the time table was to give the political parties opportunity to prepare for the by-election holding on February 26, 2013.

The bye-election was sequel to the death of Mr. Abayomi Akintokun, Councillor representing Ward ‘A’ Alayabiagba on the 3rd of September, 2012.

According to the timetable released by the commission, “February 13, the closing date for the collection of nomination forms for the by-election and February 15, is the closing date for the submission of nomination forms. February 16, validation of candidates documents by the commission, February 18 publication of list of validated candidates. Sunday, February 24 , end of electioneering campaign by political parties.”

While some of the parties demanded that the election be postponed, others argued that the time table released by the commission must be adhered to.

Acting Secretary of the PDP, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Taofik Gani, said “the date for the election is not sacrosanct. The date of the election falls within the week days and we as a political party, don’t want election on a week day. We want the by-election on a weekend. This is the only way we can solve voter apathy.”

Also, Chairman of National Conscience Party, Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Agunbiade argued “we want the postponement of the election. This is the only way we can give the political parties ample opportunity to prepare adequately for the by-election.”

However, Acting Secretary of ACN, Lagos State, Mr. Charles Odugbesi, said “immediately any standard political party hears the demise of a representative, it should begin to prepare. And for ACN, this election must take place either now or whatever date fixed by the commission.

“Any political party that isn’t prepared for the bye-election isn’t prepared. ACN wants the commission to go ahead with the timetable. We are ready as a party for the bye-election.”