By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The People Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Peoples Party (APP), in Osun state have shunned the Local Government Election billed to hold on October 15, as 16 political parties including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have shown interest.
It would be recalled that the Chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Olusegun Oladuntan had announced the Commission’s readiness to conduct the council polls on October 15, 2022.
But, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had vowed not to participate in the election on the ground that the process contravened the new Electoral law.
Speaking at a press conference addressed by the Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), in the state, Mr Simon Adebayo said contrary to the claims in some quarters, all the registered Political parties were well informed about the election.
Adebayo who spoke on behalf of the 16 Political Parties Chairmen present at the Osun NUJ press Centre, Osogbo, said out of the 18 registered Political parties, only PDP and Action Peoples Party (APP) had vowed to boycott the election.
“Sequel to the meeting and the Press Conference, the timeline for the activities leading to the elections was received by
all Political Parties.
“The Political Parties under the aegis of IPAC met and rub minds together and came to the conclusion that since the Local Government and the Local Council Development Areas are the nearest to the members of the public at the grassroots, IPAC supports every positive step to bring good governance to the people.
“In this wise, IPAC fully supports the conduct of the election by the Election Management Body (EMB) i.e. Osun State Independence Electoral Commission (OSIEC).
“We hereby enjoin OSIEC to ensure that the exercise is done in conformity with the Law i.e OSIEC Electoral Law and the Electoral Act 2022. Of course, we hardly need to emphasize that the Elections must be conducted transparently and must be free, fair and credible.
“Since our State is called “Ipinle Omoluabi”, We appeal to the people of Osun to let us exercise our civic duty in an enviable atmosphere that the State has been known for.
“We are peace loving and law abiding. Nothing should be done to mar this enviable reputation. Of the eighteen (18) parties registered in the State, we are happy to confirm that sixteen (16) political parties have agreed to participate in the election by presenting candidates for the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions for the 15th October 2022 Local Government Elections in the State.”