The Lagos Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Kunle Uthman is not happy with Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, over what he described as selective invitation to presidential aspirants to address the nation on their plan for economy ahead of the Presidential election.
Chief Uthman queries while similar invitation is not extended to the candidate of SDP, Chief Adewole Adebayo.
According to him, the move is in contravention of the enabling laws calling for sanctions against LCCI.
He drew comparison with the invitation to the candidates by the Nigerian Bar Association at the recently concluded Annual General Conference without bias.
Below is the protest letter to the LCCI
CHIEF ‘KUNLE UTHMAN
Barristers and Solicitors
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Governorship Candidate
Lagos State
15th day of September, 2022.
Mrs. Chinyere Alomona,
Director General,
Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
(LCCI),
1, Idowu Taylor Street,
Victoria Island,
Lagos.
Dear Mrs. Alumona.
RE: ILLEGAL ACT OF HOSTING ALH. ATIKU ABUBAKAR, AND SCHEDULED TO HOST SEN. BOLA TINUBU, & HE PETER OBI IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE ELECTORAL GUIDELINES AND MEDDLESOMENESS.
Above subject matter refers.
Recall that I visited you in your office in respect of the three (3) Presidential Candidates that LCCI chose to address the business community and the imperative necessity to provide a level playing field for as many of the contestants that may be willing to participate.
PUBLICATION:
This was due to the fact that the exercise, as it were, was widely publicised and published in the print, electronic and social media by LCCI for maximum effect and pecuniary benefits.
THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP).
In particular, my submission was in respect of the Presidential Candidate of my political party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP). It was my unequivocal submission that Prince Adewole, a dynamic, young, versatile legal practitioner is a frontrunner in the forthcoming Presidential Elections and along with others who are in the race, should be given the same platform that LCCI had created for the trio: Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Chief Bola Tinubu and His Excellency, Peter Obi. This will accord with the principle of a level playing field.
I wanted you to navigate off the path of bias and favouritism, moreso because you did not disclose the parameters used for this selection, which amounts to failure to provide a level playing field for all Presidential Candidates in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Elections.
THE ANALOGY OF THE NBA CONFERENCE:
Furthermore, recall that I drew your attention to the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association Conference, where this same mistake as yours was made by the organisers, who rectified it on the day of the Opening Ceremony of the NBA 2022 Conference and other aspirants, including the Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were allowed to speak.
Please note that in a recent publication of SAHARA REPORTERS, 15 Presidential Candidates have expressed their reservations and construed the action of LCCI as ill-motivated, unfair, bias, condemnable and is hereby categorically condemned.
IS LCCI THE VOICE OF INEC?
When did it become one of the primary objectives of LCCI to dabble into politics and give their favoured candidates full publicity, prime airtime, live broadcast on the print and electronic media for their preferred candidates: Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Chief Bola Tinubu and His Excellency, Peter Obi. Who sponsored this very expensive exercise on prime Airtime?
THE ELECTORAL GUIDELINES:
NOSTRADAMUS:
The conduct of LCCI runs foul of the Electoral Guidelines of 2022. When did LCCI usurp the duties of INEC by determining Candidates prior to publication by the electoral umpire. For all intent and purposes, the names of Candidates for National Elections at the Federal and State levels have not been published and until published no one person, organisation or group can make this (Nostradamus) prediction as LCCI under your supervision.
APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS:
Deservedly, the LCCI should be sanctioned, for its illegality, reckless conduct and deviance in order to serve as deterent to any other organisation that does not respect due process and the Electoral Act laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
NOTICES:
Please take notice that if you refuse to stop these interviews of your preferred and favourite Presidential Candidates, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will lodge a formal complaint to appropriate authorities to compel your organisation to desist forthwith from continuance of your deviant act of meddlesomeness in a matter of illegality and contravention of extant laws and legislation.
We will also institute legal process and sue for damages in the Federal High Court of Justice. Feel free to seek legal advice on this matter.
A Stitch In Time Saves Nine.
Your cooperation will oblige.
Kind Regards,
Chief Kunle Uthman,
(Legal Practitioner)
Lagos State Governorship Candidate,
GSocial Democratic Party (SDP).
