Sixteen opposition political factions in Osun have opted out of the upcoming local government elections set for February 22, 2025. Victor Akande, the chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun, disclosed the opposition parties’ resolution to abstain from the election while addressing the press in Osogbo on Monday.
Akande asserted that the consortium arrived at this decision due to a lack of trust in the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Ashim Abioye.
Allegations were raised by Akande against Abioye, suggesting that the OSSIEC chairman intended to deploy members of the PDP as electoral officials for the election, a move perceived as dubious by the opposition parties.
It was insinuated by Akande that Abioye’s purported actions aimed to ensnare the opposition parties into conducting their respective primary elections without prior disclosure of the required financial obligations, thereby leading to futile efforts subsequent to the announcement of inflated fees.
“We anticipated receiving timely and transparent updates from Abioye as is customary with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yet regrettably, we have been consistently reliant on information regarding the Osun local government election from PDP e-rats,” remarked the IPAC chair.
Furthermore, the opposition parties accused the ruling PDP-led regime in the state of deliberately instigating unrest across the region to deter the populace from participating in the imminent council election, suggesting that only those with a sense of security would venture out to cast their votes.
“Thus, following extensive consultations with our party members, we have collectively resolved to withdraw from the forthcoming local government election in Osun state,” declared Abioye.
The 16 parties disengaging from the LG polls include Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Social Democratic Party, African Action Congress, New Nigeria People’s Party, Allied Peoples Party, People’s Redemption Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, Action Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, Boot Party, National Rescue Movement, and Young Peoples Party.
