Ondo by-election: Students protest, call on Jonathan to sack Obanikoro

Senator Musliu Obanikoro

Protesting members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) today called for the sack of the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro over his role in the April 5 by-election into Ilaje/Eseodo
Federal Constituency in Ondo State.

The election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission following irregularities noticed.

The Students who staged a peaceful protest to demonstrate their anger over Obanikoro’s conduct at the Gani Fawehinmi’s Freedom Arcade, said it was saddening that the Minister would descend so low to frustrate electoral process.

NANS National Financial Secretary, Timielyin Ayenuro urged President
Goodluck Jonathan to sack Obanikoro whom he described as a disgrace to the nation’s democratic process.

Ayenuro who was joined in the protest by the NANS Zonal Coordinator,Comrade Asefon Sunday, National President, Association of Ilaje Students,
Ekudehinwa and NANS JCC Chairman, Adewumi Rufai, also urged INEC to declare the winner of the by-election

Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the students described the failure of the electoral body to declare the winner of the election as illegal.

The students who claimed that they were not sponsored by any political party said they would have marched to the INEC office to vent their anger but changed their minds because of Monday’s bomb blasts in Nyanya- Abuja.

Ayenuro said, “We are condemning the involvement of the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro in the election. His action is undemocratic, barbaric and irresponsible.

“It is sad that a serving Minister of defence who is supposed to conduct himself orderly, involved himself in an election using soldiers to intimidate and harass voters.

“Indeed, Obanikoro is a disgrace to our political system; in a sane clime, people like this should be sacked immediately”