Author: The Nation

A mild drama ensued on Tuesday when Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) protesters were temporarily held back from gaining access to Oyo State Secretariat.

The protesters had arranged to terminate their march at the State Secretariat where they expected Governor Seyi Makinde to receive address them after receiving a protest letter.

An advance team of government officials, including Executive Assistant to Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd) and Special Adviser on Labour Matters, who was the immediate past Oyo NLC Chairman, Comrade Adebayo Titilola-Sodo, had waited at the main entrance of the Secretariat to receive the protesters.

The duo stayed, awaiting other top government functionaries who would address the protesters at the main entrance gate.

As security measures, the main entrance gate was shut before the arrival of the protesters to prevent unsuspecting individuals from taking undue advantage of the situation.

Heavy security was also stationed at the entrance gate with patrol vans at strategic angles around the Secretariat. Security operatives including Police and men of the Amotekun Corps were flooded the area.

On getting to the entrance gate, the visibly surprised protesters were enraged over closure of the gate.

As they stayed displaying placards and singing solidarity songs, tempers rose as the protesters who suddenly got enraged at the continued denial of entrance changed their solidarity songs and started chanting “All, we are saying, open this gate”.

The situation almost got out of hand about ten minutes later as some of the young protesters started banging the massive gate in an attempt to force it open.

The quick intervention of Odukoya in consultation with other security operatives who appealed to the protesters and ordered the gate be opened to allow entrance into the Secretariat.

Read Also:Osun Governor-elect Adeleke sets up transition committee

A similar scenario almost repeated itself when the protesters also met a closed gate at the entrance of the Governor’s Office.

It was gathered that unfavourable security reports and fear of some students who infiltrated the protesters led to the decision of the security operatives not to open the gate of the Governor’s Office.

While that agitation rose, the government officials in consultation with labour leaders resolved to address the protesters from behind the gate.

Presenting the protest letter, Oyo NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, said the unions “are dismayed by the Federal Government’s paralysis and reluctance to take the necessary steps that could lead to the peaceful resolution of the issues in dispute and by extension, end the strike.

“On our part, we have taken various initiatives to end this strike including writing to the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment and the presidency. Although this elicited some response from the government, it was tokenistic and not sufficient.”

The Court of Appeal has urged donor agencies and institutions, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) to assist the country in conducting safe and credible elections next year.

The court’s President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said: “Indeed, the cooperation and collaboration of donor agencies and institutions such as yours, with rich knowledge and experience of electoral processes, will be greatly required in the areas of training and other forms of partnership so as to ensure the conduct of not just a free and fair election, but also safe and secure election in Nigeria come 2023.

Justice Dongban-Mensem spoke while receiving a joint pre-election assessment mission of NDI and IRI in Abuja.

Represented by the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, Justice Haruna Tsammani, the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) said courts and tribunals have so far, done well in handling election disputes.
She said: “You will agree with me that the courts and election tribunals have exhibited great level of transparency in the conduct of electoral disputes in order to foster confidence in the judicial system.

“Our doors are open to accept advise, encouragement and if need be, constructive engagement with us in carrying out our onerous judicial functions.”

The PCA noted that it was the outcome of the findings of agencies line the NDI and IRI that usually form the basis for the constant review and adjustments in the Electoral Act and, ultimately determine the basis of Nigeria’s preparedness for every election.

She expressed optimism that with the Ekiti and Osun state gubernatorial elections that have recently been concluded, the changes introduced in the electoral system will serve as test cases in future election disputes.

Read Also:Sanwo-Olu declares work-free days for PVCs registration

Justice Dongban-Mensem said the Court of Appeal has constituted Election Petition Tribunals in Ekiti and Osun states to entertain any petition that may arise from the recent gubernatorial elections in the states

She noted that the court plays a vital role in both pre and post-election processes, which informed why, and the PCA, she consults with Heads of Courts at the state level, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in appointing judicial officers with requisite competence and integrity to serve as tribunal judges.

The pre-election assessment mission, led by Secretary of State for Ohio (USA), Frank LaRose explained that the visit was to assess the political landscape, leading up to the next presidential election, and promised to assist in ensuring peaceful and credible polls in the country.

It was learnt that, as part of its assessment of the nation’s preparation for the 2023 elections, the delegation was in Osun State to observe and learn from the July 16 off-cycle gubernatorial election which is the second time an election was being conducted under the new Electoral Act.

Secretary LaRose currently serves as the Chief Elections Officer for the state of Ohio where he oversees electoral proceedings.

Before now, Secretary LaRose served two terms in the State Senate, where he spearheaded efforts to increase government transparency and efficiency in the areas of elections administration and regulatory reform.