OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN –ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (ACN) AND CHAIRMAN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC).

DENIAL OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BY THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNOR, COMRADE ADAMS ALIYU OSHIOMHOLE

We the members of the DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE, PEACE AND EQUITY (DEMOJUPE) hereby, bring to the notice of Mr. President, National Chairman- Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the unfair, unjust and brazen attempt by the People’s Governor of Edo State to deny the aspiration of other aspirants of the Chairmanship seat of Estako West Local Government to the advantage of Barr. Hassan Kadiri at the forth coming ACN primaries prior to the LG polls on April 20th, 2013.

At the caucus meeting of the ACN party held on Friday 18th January, 2013 the People’s Governor categorically stated that there will be no primaries in some LGs, while others will get the benefit of primaries based on nominated delegates. He bluntly declared that in Estako West LG, Barr. Hassan Kadiri is the endorsed candidate by himself, his mother –Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, his step father –Alhaji Bello Unuakhe and HRH Alhaji A.H.Momoh, IkelebeIII (Otaru of Auchi kingdom). Besides on Friday 25th January, 2013 at the Governor’s residence in Iyamho, the Governor invited ten people each from the twelve Wards of Estako West to intimate them with his choice of Barr. Hassan Kadiri, using Chief Lucky James, Dr.S.O. Imoekemhe Hon. Phillip Shiabu and Sir Joe Emoabino as his agents. The same scenario was reenacted on Saturday 26th January, 2013 involving two persons from each Ward to consolidate the plot.

This is not in concomitance with the principle of one man one vote, for which he brought the who is who in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin-City, Edo State to champion in Nigerian politics and the principle to which he is now christened the Apostle of one man one vote. To add insult to injury, his present posture is diametrically opposed to his public pronouncement at his official inauguration at his second term in office “we will ensure that the forth coming LG election that one man one vote prevails… so all the people or group of people talking of endorsement beware and stay clear!!!” What wanton display of gross hypocrisy when viewed against the background of his present godfather posture.

Ironically, other aspirants and their followers other than Barr. Hassan Kadiri believed him and have since gone ahead to do their home work towards a just and equitable primaries involving all duly registered card carrying members of the party in all the Ward Congresses as provided for by the party Constitution on pages 37 and 38, Article 21.5 on Local Government Chairman primaries … a ,b and c respectively.

It is the will of the Auchi people that if the People’s Governor having placated other communities to cede chairmanship of the LG to the Auchi community, the people should be given the choice to select their candidate on popular choice rather than being the preserve of a few individuals no matter how highly placed they are. This position lend credence to the refusal of the Auchi Wards to accept the invitation to Iyamho on the 25th and 26th of January respectively. Informed sources say that party membership cards are now being massively issued at the ACN LG Secretariat to enhance the selfish cause of the People’s Governor to impose Barr. Hassan Kadiri on the people much against their wish.

As law abiding citizens, we prevail on Mr. President to stop the transgressional infringement on the right of Auchi people by the Comrade Governor in other to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. All we are asking for is a free, fair, just and equitable party primaries in Estako West LG devoid of external interference.

Long live Estako West, Long live Edo State and Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria