Drama as OGSIEC screens councillorship candidates

It was drama galore on Tuesday at the venue of the screening of councillorship candidates of different political parties that appeared before the Ogun State Independent National Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), as many of them failed the questions put to them.

The candidates of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Labour Party and Fresh Democratic Party, appeared before the committee, in an exercise that will end on Thursday.

Some of the candidates, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, could not define democracy while some could not state the primary roles of a councillor.

It was also gathered that some of the candidates could not sing the state anthem correctly while many could not provide evidence of tax payment.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the Commissioner 111 of the electoral body, Mr Mutiu Agboke, said the exercise became pertinent to authenticate the genuineness of the information provided by the political parties about the candidates.

He expressed displeasure over the performance of majority of the candidates who had so far appeared before it since the exercise commenced on Monday.

Agboke said, “We have sensitised political parties that they should screen their candidates, so that they can properly field those they think can occupy the position. On our part, we still need to screen them to ascertain the genuineness of the information provided before us.

“We feel disappointed today because those who appeared before us could not showcase the standard the state is known for. The screening has shown us that perhaps the political parties need to step up.”