The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has urged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to ensure a free, fair, and credible local government election.
Since the largest opposition party said, it would run in the elections.
Prof. Joseph Aremo, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, scheduled the local government election for December 16, 2023.
He said the Commission had started the election process by giving political parties and other stakeholders 360 days’ notice.
The main opposition party urged the All Progressives Congress-led State Government to ensure a legitimate and transparent election.
On Thursday, PDP state chairman Fatai Adams called for the poll at the party secretariat in Akure, the state capital.
Adams noted that Nigeria’sNigeria’s local council, the third tier of administration closest to the grassroots, was paralysed.
Adams added, “The LG is merely working as a salary payment agency of the State Government, rather than serving the grassroots people as enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended)”.
He continued, “We are informing the general public that we are prepared to participate in the electoral fight with the earnest hope that the governor and his APC will allow the Commission to execute its function without undue interference and disruptions. As a party, we’ve we’ve set the wheels in motion for our election success, and we’rewe’re participating to win by God’sGod’s grace.”
He said the PDP entered the poll to change the “uneventful and boring storylines and to restore the lost glory of local government administration and its pride”.
“This decision is purposeful, and we are aware of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s agenda to gag local government administrations by foisting his stooges on the people. Hence, we can gauge his temperature, the APC’sAPC’s attitude, and the inconveniences our resolve may give its members, who mistakenly perceive the local government as their cash cow and the reward for their hypocrisy and sycophancy to the governor.
“This time, APC will be rejected by the grassroots people who have been burdened with ineffective, colourless, dismal, dry, and retrogressive governance at that most critical layer of government.
“We are, however, utilising this opportunity to call on the ODIEC to do its function as an impartial arbiter that should not steal Peter to pay Paul. We passionately urge the Chairman and other Commission members to always act on behalf of the people, remembering that their Commission is funded by taxpayers, not the APC administration that appointed them.
The Chairman said, “They should maintain absolute transparency of the electoral process, demonstrate decency, decorum and discipline that is demanded of their high posts and not compromise for any self-serving or monetary interests so that posterity will be kind to them.”
