The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has urged political parties in the state to conduct transparent and credible primaries ahead of the forthcoming local government council elections, as preparations for the polls gather momentum.

The Chairman of the commission, Dr. Afeez Adeniyi, made the call on Thursday during an interactive meeting with representatives of registered political parties held at the commission’s headquarters in Ibadan.

At the meeting, OYSIEC distributed copies of the election guidelines to political parties in preparation for party primaries scheduled to take place between June 29 and July 27, 2026.

Adeniyi stressed the pivotal role political parties play in the electoral process, urging them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities diligently to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election.

He urged the parties to conduct their primaries within the stipulated timeframe and submit the names of successful candidates to the commission in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law.

The OYSIEC chairman also urged stakeholders to study and comply strictly with the election guidelines issued by the commission, noting that adherence to the rules would help minimise pre-election disputes and avoid unnecessary litigation.

According to him, the commission remains committed to conducting the council elections in line with extant laws and regulations governing local government polls in the state.

“Today, we engaged representatives of registered political parties under the umbrella of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) as part of our preparations for the local government council elections scheduled for December 29, 2026.

“We had fruitful discussions and exchanged ideas. Our officials will be available during the primaries to monitor the process and provide necessary guidance where required,” he said.
Adeniyi also called on political parties to promote greater participation of women in politics and leadership positions, describing women as critical stakeholders in governance and national development.

Speaking on behalf of the political parties, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Oyo State, Mr. Kabiru Akinade, highlighted some of the challenges associated with local government elections in the country and called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the electoral process.

Also, the Oyo State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Mrs. Olajumoke Odususi, advocated increased inclusion of women in elective offices and decision-making structures.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of OYSIEC, Mrs. Abisola Kafayat Ogunmola, advised political parties to ensure that all personal details of candidates submitted to the commission were accurate to avoid complications during the electoral process.