By Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka
Being the text of an address delivered by Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka at a press conference held on Thursday 30th April, 2015.
Since the gubernatorial election of April 11th in which INEC declared Sen. Ibikunle Amosun of the APC as the winner contrary to the wilful votes of Ogun State people, a lot of commentaries have been made about the election which to all discerning minds was blatantly manipulated to favour the incumbent. It is on record that my campaign organisation and my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have both in clear terms rejected the outcome of the governorship election.
Few weeks before that election, government pressed all manner of panic buttons as it was obvious that Ogun people had had enough of its shenanigans which has deprived them of their livelihood and quality social services all in the pursuit of self-aggrandising projects. The result of this selfish and rudderless policy pursuit is that, our women's livelihood have been taken away, our children study under unfavourable conditions, our youths have no gainful jobs and the masses have no opportunities to create wealth for themselves because all the monies and such opportunities have been frittered away to the benefit of a few persons along the power corridors. Quite shameful!
Gboyega Nasir Isiaka
Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka
On the night of that election and as polling booth results filtered in across the State, verifiable via our party agents, I had a clear lead in fourteen local governments while the gap was very close in the six other council areas. It was however a shocker we got when INEC announced figures from the six council areas of Ogun Central Senatorial District and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun West Senatorial District. Whereas, the low voter turnout in these council areas was a major talking point earlier that day, the results thereafter is a further confirmation of the electoral heist that occurred that day.
Let it be stated that we have obtained a copy of the complete results and have began due diligence on it. We must however state that the result is a manifestation of unprecedented manipulation, falsification of results, stuffing of pre-thumb-printed ballot papers, use of uncollected PVCs by unaccredited APC supporters, use of fake polling booths and several other infractions. All these are now in the open and we shall not allow the will of the mass to be truncated. Consequently, we have resolved to approach the gubernatorial election petitions tribunal to challenge the results which I clearly won but was subverted.
We assure Ogun State people that the mandate which they freely gave me will be reclaimed via the courts of law. It shall be pursued up to the highest level of judicial intervention till justice is attained. I salute my friends, associates and everyone that supported me in many forms all through the process of the campaigns. I appreciate my campaign organisation and supporters following me around Ogun State to seek votes. I thank all our leaders who sincerely worked for the success of the party and every member of the PDP for their support. The phone calls and messages of love have been overwhelming. My heart goes out to those who believed in me and were harassed, wounded and brutalised in the process. I assure them that their sacrifice will not go in vain.
Finally, my desire to make life more abundant for the people of Ogun State is very much on course. What is called governance in Ogun today must not be allowed to continue. Just few days ago, I heard the government signed a $2billion contract with a Chinese firm, CCECC, to build inter-city rail networks within the State. This is another of such outlandish projects that shows this government to be rudderless and corrupt. One wonders where and when did it conceptualise the project? Was it debated at any State Executive Council meeting or budget retreat? Was it advertised or bidded for? What is going to be the economic impact and environmental impact upon the economy and the geography of the State? How will such a humongous project be funded and under what terms?
These are questions which the government leaves to the imagination of the masses whose funds will be purportedly used for this yet-again self-aggrandising project. And we ask, when will this government give Ogun people what they want rather than what it wants? Are all our schools roofed? Are all our hospitals well equipped? Are there truly masses-oriented housing schemes? It is this type of tendencies that we seek to stop and by God's grace our people will sooner than later, get a government that meets them at the point of their needs.
This electoral injustice shall never stand and Ogun State shall be great again.
Once again, I thank you for listening