ABEOKUTA– The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the forthcoming August 16th bye-election into Remo Federal Constituency, Adesola Elegbeji has called on voters to allow her finish the tenure of the late lawmaker, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga.
Elegbeji noted that Onanuga mandate is for the ruling APC, and therefore should naturally fall on the party to provide a replacement since her demise instead of conducting another election.
She therefore called for a constitutional review to reflect her call, saying that such will limit the resources and time expended in conducting new election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Elegbeji stated this while addressing journalists at the monthly guest forum organised by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta on Thursday.
She described the current practice as a “double punishment” for political parties that loses a serving lawmaker, adding that the bye election is an unnecessary political hurdle triggered by tragedy.
“We lost our sister, and now we’re being made to fight for what is rightfully ours. We should be allowed to present a replacement without contest.
“I believe that in the nearest future, the constitution will be amended or the electoral act will be amended such that when this happens to a party that has legitimately won a seat the party is allowed to appoint someone else to represent them without going through an election.
“I noticed that PDP is also contesting for the same seat. When Ijaya was there, she performed better than anyone else, including the PDP. The people of Remo are not blind”, she said.
Earlier in his remarks, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, emphasized that the media engagement was not intended as a political campaign, but rather as a platform for the electorate to hear directly from the candidate about their plans for the Remo Federal Constituency.
Olanrewaju expressed the belief that the coming by election will not only be violent free, but also credible and just.
Olanrewaju’s words “A few days ago, the ADC candidate was here before the gentlemen of the press. Today, the APC candidate. This is not a campaign platform, we are journalists, not politicians, so we are not here to campaign for any candidate.
“The Ogun NUJ council has set up this platform for members of your constituency to hear your mind concerning what you have for them.
“I want to assure you that come Saturday 16, we are coming to Remo to cover the election and we believe that it will be free, fair and credible”, he added.
