The Peoples Democratic Party’s decision to withdraw from Saturday’s local government election has not hampered the electoral process, according to the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission.
Leye Igbabo, the PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, issued a statement announcing the party’s withdrawal from the race for Ondo State.
“The PDP expressed its lack of confidence in the ODIEC’s electoral process,” the statement said.
Dr. Joseph Aremo, the chairman of ODIEC, told reporters at the commission’s headquarters in the state capital of Akure that the main opposition party’s withdrawal will not have an impact on how the election was conducted.
Additionally, the chairman refuted the claim of compromise, stating that the commission was open and equitable to all political parties.
“No candidate may run for any office in the election if it is not supported by a political party,” he continued.
Our approach has been to develop a template that allows each stakeholder to display their unique assets. They (PDP) are now an integral part of the process. They have applicants, and their applicants showed up for the screening process. We checked their details.
Two days ago, they even came to turn in a list of their agents. It’s all about the party, though, as I mentioned. Because an election cannot be held without a party taking part. I received a letter yesterday informing me that they were pulling out of the process. Will we not endanger the interests of others if one of the thirteen parties withdraws?
“There are enough parties here. However, that does not imply that we cannot halt the process if even five individuals withdraw today and it has been ongoing for a while. I’m not familiar with this system.
Additionally, the chairman of the ODIEC reaffirmed that the election will proceed without any security breaches because the commission had implemented steps to guarantee the safety of people and property before to, during, and following the poll.
People could not turn out to vote because of the perception that, even after casting a ballot, there won’t be any security of property.
“Now, after our meeting and all of the plans I’ve put in place, I can guarantee you that the election will go smoothly and without incident,” Aremo said.
