OGSIEC clears Oyegbola-Sodipo, others for Nov. 16 local govt election in Ogun

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has screened and cleared Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, the All Progressives Congress (APC)  candidate for the chairmanship of Abeokuta North Local Government in the upcoming local government election scheduled for November 16, 2024 across the 20 local council areas of the state. 

Also screened and cleared alongside Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo was Hon. Taiyelolu Egbeyemi as the APC candidate for the vice chairmanship position for Abeokuta North LGA. The list also consisted the names of 16 candidates of the APC who were screened and considered eligible to contest for the councillorship positions from across the 16 wards in the local government. 

The electoral body released the names of the cleared candidates for the chairmanship, vice chairmanship and councillorship positions for the 20 local government areas in the state on Wednesday, in Abeokuta, following its just-concluded screening of candidates forwarded to it by the party. The release of the final list of candidates paves way for the commencement of campaign activities ahead of the election holding in about a month’s time. 

Ogun State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, while commending OGSIEC for the list, said in a statement in Abeokuta that all candidates whose names appeared on the list as cleared by OGSIEC, became the official candidates of the APC for the forthcoming council poll. 

“They are, by this release, admonished to commence preparation for the take-off of intensive campaigns that will garner the required votes for the coming election. 

“All candidates, leaders of the party and relevant stakeholders are also implored to work in tandem with the directives and guidelines drawn up by the party,” he stated. 

In his reaction to the final candidates’ list released by OGSIEC, the APC chairmanship candidate for Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon.  Oyegbola-Sodipo, commended the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, state executives of the party, party leaders at the ward level, and all party stakeholders for working together for the progress of APC. 

He also commended OGSIEC for the thorough screening of the candidates, while affirming his confidence in the state electoral body to conduct credible, free and fair election come November 16.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed party leader, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Governor of Ogun State for his exemplary visionary leadership in steering the ship of statecraft and the APC in the right direction. I also use this moment to thank the State Executive Committee of APC under the able leadership of my respected leader and  chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, all my ward leaders, our party stakeholders, and OGSIEC for conducting a seamless primary election and screening process, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to democracy,” he noted. 

Oyegbola-Sodipo reiterated his commitment to provide good governance and bring transformational leadership to Abeokuta North LGA when elected into office. 

“This milestone acknowledges the efforts of the APC, party leaders and members of the APC,  all participants in the primary election, as well as the electoral body to ensure our democracy continues to thrive and take roots downwards.  On this note,  I  reiterate  my commitment to serve the people of Abeokuta North LGA excellently and sacrificially by ensuring the footprint of “Ise Ya” developmental agenda is replicated in all our communities in the local government,” he declared.