NAOSS Election: Electoral Chairman Makes U-Turn, Says Winner Declared Under Duress
Dotun Adeboye, Abeokuta
The result of the just concluded election of the National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS has been faulted by the Chairman of the electoral committee, Comrade Olaonipekun Olusegun, describing it as a ruse and therefore should not stand.
Comrade Olusegun had shortly after the election held at NUJ Hall, Iwe-Iroyin at the state capital declared Comrade Ogunrombi Gbemileke (O’Leke) as the winner. But in a new twist, the electoral chairman in a press release made available to Gateway Times opened up that the declaration of the purported winner was done under duress as the atmosphere was tense to do otherwise.
According to Com Olusegun, the election was not in accordance with the constitution of the association. “It’s now expedient for us to pronounce the election, null and void,” He added.
The students leader also accused the security officers of not being helpful with the way voters were victimized by some thugs allegedly mobilised by some unknown faces to cause mayhem during the election.
Olusegun who declared the election cancelled also pleaded for a safety place like the office of the State Security or Nigeria Police headquarters for the reschedule of the new election.
He therefore appealed to the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to please come to their aid by providing a conducive environment for them for the next election to be conducted.
According to him “After meeting with all the electoral committee for a proper analysis of the election process and how people were scared, threatened and intimidated.
He maintained that since there was a threatening of life at the election ground, he had no choice than to declare a winner in such circumstances.
The release read in part “Senators of the association who are the custodian of the association have also been submitting petition to that effect complaining that they all cast their vote under pressure and duress.”
“The stakeholders and outgoing president and chapters senators put a petition on the electoral committee that is it not constitutional where election will held without ballot paper and without observation of any outgoing or past excos as an observers so an allegation to put on the committee.”
He added that “So as to create peace, the electoral committee has declared the election cancelled and the new election date will be announced.”
“The outgoing executives still remain the custodian of the association headed by comrade Adejobi Peter, he concluded.
“The election had to be cancelled to avoid setting a bad precedence for the association.”
