The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the August 16 bye-election into Remo Federal Constituency, Adesola Elegbeji, has urged voters to allow her to complete the tenure of the late lawmaker, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga.
Elegbeji argued that Onanuga’s mandate belonged to the ruling APC and should therefore naturally remain with the party following her demise, instead of conducting a fresh election.
She also called for a constitutional review to reflect this position, saying such a change would save the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the resources and time spent in conducting bye-elections.
Speaking at an event organised by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta on Thursday tagged “Meet the Press” Elegbeji described the current process as “a double punishment” for political parties that lose a serving lawmaker. She said bye-elections, in such circumstances, amount to an unnecessary political hurdle triggered by tragedy.
“We lost our sister, and now we’re being made to fight for what is rightfully ours. We should be allowed to present a replacement without contest.
“I believe that in the nearest future, the constitution or the Electoral Act will be amended such that when this happens to a party that has legitimately won a seat, the party is allowed to appoint someone else to represent them without going through another election.
“I noticed that the PDP is also contesting for the same seat. When Ijaya was there, she performed better than anyone else, including the PDP. The people of Remo are not blind,” she said.
Earlier, NUJ Chairman Comrade Wale Olanrewaju clarified that the media engagement was not a political campaign, but a platform for the electorate to hear directly from candidates about their plans for the Remo Federal Constituency.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming bye-election would be peaceful, credible, and fair.
“A few days ago, the ADC candidate was here before the gentlemen of the press. Today, it is the APC candidate. This is not a campaign platform — we are journalists, not politicians — so we are not here to campaign for any candidate.
“The Ogun NUJ Council created this platform so that members of your constituency can hear your vision for them. I want to assure you that on Saturday, August 16, we will be in Remo to cover the election, and we believe it will be free, fair, and credible,” Olanrewaju said.
