The Osun State Chapter of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) has committed to combat vote buying and other anti-democratic practices that may imperil the conduct of the general elections in the State on February 25.
After being reaffirmed as the legitimate party boss in the state, the party’s chairman, Dr. Oluwatosin Odeyemi, announced this at the party secretariat on Thursday in Osogbo. He also said that his political party would be on high alert to thwart any additional perceived irregularities in electioneering.
The general elections on February 25 will not be business as usual because all corrupt practices would not be accepted before, during, or after the exercise, Dr. Odeyemi cautioned rival political parties.
In response to the question of vote buying, he insisted, “I’m telling this to the opposition to know that it’s no more business as usual. As the NNPP has come together as one family, we are going to allow the votes of the people count and send them a positive signal that there is no longer any vote buying.
However, he pledged that the NNPP would cast a significant number of ballots in favor of the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He stressed that the party’s internal differences among members had been amicably resolved and affirmed that, members of the party across 30 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA) will work together as one family to ensure the party’s victory and commended the National Working Committee, (NWC) for their invention during the party crisis.
He thereafter charged the electorate to troop out in hundreds to exercise their voting rights during the election period.
In another development, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Southwest youth leader of the Party, Hon. Seyi Bamidele has joined the queue of party members jostling for the Chairmanship position in the Osun state with a pledge to contribute positively to the growth of the party with his wealth of experience.
The national youth leader who made this known while submitting his letter of interest for the position at the party Secretariat in Osogbo, said he has the ability to steer the ship of the party to the promised land.
According to him, ” I have consulted widely with stakeholders of the party before taking the decision to contest and as a membership of the party, I am qualified to contest the Chairmanship of the party. Beside, I was a member of the state working committee before moving to the zonal level.”
“PDP is a democratic party that encourages youths to be active, hence, my decision to join the race after due consultation. My chairmanship will bring about unity in the party and bring the breadth of fresh ideas into the system with a view to retaining it glory in the State.”
It will be recalled that the leadership of the party presently is being presided over by Dr. Akindele Adekunle-led caretaker committee after the dissolution of the State Working Committee due to prolonged litigation before the governorship election in the State.