By DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, has  cautioned   the state chapter of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP,  or any  group of persons in its efforts to  conduct  a hitch-free  local government election fixed for  July 21, vowing not to succumb to distractions from any group.

OGSIEC, in a statement by its Chairman, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi,  in Abeokuta, yesterday,  argued that Section 197 1(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, empowered  state Independent Electoral Commissions across the country to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to local governments in the country.

CNPP had in a statement  last week by its Chairman, Otunba Owolabi Odebudo, Secretary, Biola Lawal and  chairmen of 15 other political parties, threatened  to drag OGSIEC to court  for  disobeying a court judgment restraining it from going ahead  to conduct   the  council election.

The OGISEC boss, in her  reaction to the threat,  said  CNPP and other such organisations remained associations “and at best fiduciary bodies which have not been accorded the status of direct political stakeholders even by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It is common understanding that to organise an election. Guidelines have to be issued in line with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2004, to guide the conduct of such elections.”

“The commission is determined to organize, undertake and supervise hitch-free, peaceful, credible and fair elections on Saturday 21st July, 2012 and will not succumb to any distractions from any individual or group,” she said

Meanwhile, the state chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged urged all political parties to concentrate on the forthcoming local Government elections.

IPAC in a statement signed by its Secretary, Biola Martins and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday,described  the  planned legal action against OGSIEC as unnecessary,saying  that the action was meant to put a clog in the wheel of democratic progress of the state.

According to the body ‘from our observation, the  government of Ibikunle Amosun has set machinery in motion to enable various political parties participate in the council  elections.

“Instead of  creating unnecessary hitting up of political system in the state,we call on our fellow opposition  parties to avail themselves of the opportunity of not only coperating  with the commission by their participation,but to also ensure hitch free polls, that would be devoid of  rigging and controversy,” IPAC said.

The body however urged all political parties to channel their complaints through IPAC ,the body ,according to the statement  is the only constitutional  umbrella body for all  political parties in Nigeria.