PDP shuns Ondo LG poll as police restrict movement, warn miscreants

By : Adewale Momoh, Akure

Date: 18 January 2025 5:01am WAT

Police officers prepare to go to different polling stations in Ibadan on February 25, 2023, before polls open during Nigeria's presidential and general election. (Photo by Samuel Alabi / AFP)

Police officers. Photo by Samuel Alabi / AFP

• Candidates fault opposition party over decision
The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn from participating in this weekend’s local council election.

The main opposition party said it could not trust the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) to deliver effectively.

While confirming the development, the acting chairman of the party, Bakita Bello, added that the position had been communicated to the electoral body.

PDP had, a few months ago, confirmed that it would participate in the exercise after fielding 15 chairmanship and 131 councillorship candidates. In the letter, which was signed by the Director of Media and Publicity in the state, Leye Igbagbo, the party stressed that its findings revealed that ODIEC could be trusted with the process.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter has withdrawn from participating in the January 18th, 2025 local government elections, organised by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC). This decision is a product of several layers of consultations of party leaders, stakeholders, and the National Secretariat of our great party.

“Our party fielded 15 chairmanship candidates in 15 local government areas and 131 councillorship candidates. But, from all indications, ODIEC’s credibility, transparency, and impartiality have failed the integrity test.

“Recent observations and reports point to a troubling pattern of double standards by ODIEC, raising serious doubts about their ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.

“As a responsible political party committed to democracy and the rule of law, we cannot, in good conscience, confer legitimacy on this compromised process by participating in the election.

“We have, therefore, resolved to withdraw our participation in this exercise to uphold the integrity of our party and our unwavering belief in credible electoral practices. We further assure our teeming supporters and the good people of Ondo State that our commitment to sanitising the electoral process is irrevocable.”