…Says BVAS Doesn’t Recognize Endorsement but PVC
Soliu Owoyabu, Abeokuta
The gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye has disclosed that the endorsing of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun by the Yewa Monarch and residents as a deceit of the highest order and word of mouth.
Stressing that, the Biomodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) cannot recognize endorsement but only recognizes Parmanent Voter’s Card (PVC) at the poll.
Otegbeye disclosed this on Tuesday during a Media Parly held at Henry Townsend Hall, NUJ Secretariat, Iwe-Iroyin, Okelewo, Abeokuta the state capital.
He said the endorsement is just a mere saying and they cannot leave their own son and support another person.
He also made it known to the Newsmen that, his party did not merge with any political party in the state.
He declared that at this level of campaigns both his party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should carry their crosses, stressing that the political field is spacious enough for candidates of the parties to fight it out at the poll.
While commending the former governor of the State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun for supporting and endorsing his governorship ambition, said he (Otegbeye) is not ready to step down for any candidate(s) ahead of the March 18, 2023 elections.
He added that, he has gone beyond any thought of merger, stressing that at this point in time its almost impossible to form any meaningful merger and expect it to work, assuring that if elected he would ensure providing meaningful information for the media.
“On the issue of my Traditional rulers base on yewa Awori thing, If they endorse somebody and what that endorsement means from my candidacy, it means nothing; because the truth is that INEC election will use BVAS. BVAS does not recognize endorsement, BVAS recognize PVC. Even as Sen. Ibikunle Amosun endorsed me, I don’t go and sleep. I still do my work , go out and send my agenda to people who ultimately would vote.
“The fact that those royal fathers said that in the open, they don’t say that at the back. ‘Omo eni ko ni se idi bebere ka wa ko Ileke si idi omo elomi’. They are just sending that narrative to make the governor happy because that is what he wants to hear. Even, if it is me that given that thing, i should examine myself that what is means. It is just a ‘Horse’s Cockroach. Inside our own house (Yewa), our fathers talk to us, We know what they do for us, we know the kind of prayer they pray for us and by God grace their prayer will be answered. Our son is not ready and we are supporting this one. All these are nothing”, he said.
“Of course there will be merger, but it is not going to be like a typical merger you are expecting. Not like stepping down for someone. We have gone pass that, election is Four days away, and there won’t be any meaningful merger. For the media we will provide you a meaningful information that will help you”, he declared.
The chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ogun State, Comr. Wale Olanrewaju appreciated the ADC gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye for honouring the Union and urged him to create enabling environment for Journalists in the state if elected as the governor.
He urged him to appoint typical journalist and member of the Union as the Commissioner of Information and in to other appointments relate to media.