Dr. Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the Osun State election has faulted the alleged non-recognition of the party’s agents at wards in about 10 local government areas, describing the development as “worrisome and disturbing.”
Salaam, who spoke after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 13, Ejigbo, in Ejigbo Local Government Area, said the names of the party’s agents had been uploaded onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) platform.
He alleged that ADC agents in Ward 5, Ejigbo, were not issued tags despite the party having submitted their names, adding that a similar situation was reported in about 10 local government areas across the state.
Salaam said he might address the press again at the end of the election to give an update on the matter.
According to him, the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities, who he said were looking into it.
His words: “The report that my agents are not being recognised at most of the wards across the state is worrisome and disturbing.
“Despite the fact that we uploaded all the names of our party agents, especially here in Ejigbo, the agents in Ward 5 for the ADC were not given tags. The same thing happened in about 10 local governments across the state.
“I reported the matter to the relevant authorities, and they are looking into it. When the votes are being counted, it is necessary for my agents to be recognised at the polling units.
“Apart from that, in Ejigbo Local Government, the process has been going on without any crisis for now. I want to believe it will remain peaceful until the end of the exercise.
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“As it stands, we cannot accept a situation where our party agents are not recognised. The importance of having party agents at the polling units cannot be oversee.
“All the names were uploaded onto the INEC platform, so I don’t understand why we are now being denied the opportunity to have our party agents present.
“Maybe towards the end of the election process, I will still address the press and let the people know how far we have gone with the matter.
“What I’m saying is part of the preparation on the side of INEC. When you requested that the parties upload the names of their agents, we did so. I don’t understand how or why the party agents would not be given tags.
“If there is a fair election, with no rigging or manipulation, and there is a level playing field, I trust my God that I’m going to win the election.
“We engage with the people and let them know about our programmes. That is exactly what we do. Vote-buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes.
“People should decide whom they want, and I think it should be fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state.”
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