LG Election Cripples Political Third Force In Osun

The January 27 parliamentary local government election in the State of Osun might have given an insight into how the September 22 governorship election in the state would go – the intrigues and controversies to be expected before and during the election.

OSUN DEFENDER noted the sudden creation of a supposed political third force to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the dominant opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 71 wards where the election was held.

Findings revealed that candidates of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Socialist Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and Accord Party who contested the election with APC candidates were originally members or supporters of the ruling party and the PDP.

It was gathered that the decision of the PDP to boycott the election did not go down well with some of the party’s supporters, hence they resolved to contest under another party.

Majority of the PDP supporters, according to findings, contested the LG election under LP and Accord Party.

Similarly, some members and supporters of the APC who were not satisfied with the selection process of the party’s candidates in some wards resolved to contest the election under ACPN, SDP and Accord Party.

But all the opposition parties that contested LG election with APC performed far below expectation of the popularity of their candidates in the various wards.

None of the party got one-third of the vote of the APC candidates in each of the 71 wards where election took place.

In some places like Osogbo, Iragbiji, Ife, Iwo and some other places where election took place, the opposition parties were regarded insignificant as no electoral respect was accorded to any candidate of theirs.

The local government election made it obvious that majority of the electorate were still in support of the APC.

Commenting on the election, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, described the poll as peaceful and successful based on the turn out and conduct of the electorate.

He said: “The election was no doubt peaceful, transparent and credible. We commend OSIEC for the successful conduct of the election; it is a job well done. Likewise, we appreciate the security agents for the high display of professionalism in providing enabling environment for the election.

“The government commends the voters for their peaceful conduct while casting their votes for all the APC candidates in the election. We applaud their loyalty and staunch support for the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola

“We congratulate the winners of the election who are all from the ruling APC; and we task them to enhance governance at the grassroots for effective service delivery.  Specifically, we urge the councilors to support the Internally Generated Revenue drive of the state government.

“The outcome of the election shows that the government of the APC enjoys the support of the people of the state who appreciate the good governance being delivered by Governor Aregbesola. It is an affirmation that the people wants the APC to continue running the affairs of the state and the grassroots, having enjoyed the development that characterised Aregbesola’s administration.

“Similarly, the withdrawal of the opposition parties, particularly the PDP, is nothing but a scheme to avoid a public electoral disgrace, because the parties had lost touch with the people of the state.

“The government is looking forward to more support from the electorate for future election; and we promise the continuous delivery of good governance.”