BAYO AGBOOLA from Ibadan writes that the stage is set for the April 27 local government elections in Oyo state as there is seemingly no dissenting voice from among all stakeholders
All seems to be set for another round of battle of political supremacy in Oyo state between Governor Seyi Makinde’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as other registered political parties participating in the April 27 local government elections in the 33 local governments as well as the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Can APC stop PDP’s 2023 record?
It is no longer news that in the 2023 general elections, Governor Makinde recorded what could best be described as overwhelming victory in at least 31 of the 33 local government areas in the state to defeat other political parties in the governorship election.
Since then, there has been no major elections to determine whether the governor and his party PDP will sustain the winning stride or not.
However, the April 27 local government elections which is around the corner will, no doubt, serve as an avenue to, at least, determine the popularity cum acceptability or otherwise of the ruling political party in the state and the other political parties, most especially, the main opposition political party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
APC shows readiness
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who is now fully back in the APC from Accord where he contested the 2023 guber polls, minced no words while speaking recently after meeting with party leaders, state executive council members, the Chairmanship and councillorship candidates.
The Minister who was speaking on the April 27 local government poll at the APC state secretariat, Oke Ado, in Ibadan reversed the earlier threat by the APC to stay away from the polls if the Oyo state Independent Electoral Commission,(OYSIEC) failed to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the conduct of the polls.
Chief Adelabu expressly said either with or without the use of the BVAS, Oyo state APC would participate in the local government elections and emerge victorious as the party was ready and in high spirit to win the election as the party has reunited its folds.
According to Chief Adelabu, APC has agreed to participate in the council election.
To him, whether the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) deployed the use of BVAS or not, it would be difficult to manipulate the election in this social media age.
He urged APC members in the state to remain united and focused so as to come out victorious in the coming election.
“We are here to wish our members complements of the season (Easter) and also wish them a successful completion of the Ramadan fast. We are also seizing the opportunity to meet the party executive members and party leaders across the state and our candidates for the chairmanship and councillorship positions for the coming local government elections in Oyo state.”
“We are mindful of the fact it is not going to be an easy thing because local government poll is usually the most difficult especially for a party in opposition but with unity of purpose, commitment and dedication, we can do it.
“As an individual party member, I will do everything within my power to support all our candidates across the 33 LGAs and 351 wards in the state.We shall begin to walk the talk from today by giving cash support to them.
“We are not even going to stop at that, we will reach out to other stakeholders in Abuja and elsewhere to mobilise them for the task at hand. I have also asked our supporters, who rejoined Oyo APC with us last December, to cooperate with the party handlers and the candidates of our party. If we are able to work together as a progressive family members, victory is sure anytime”, he said.
Chief Adelabu further informed the gathering: “We have agreed to go for the election. We will not abandon or boycott the election. BVAS or not, APC will win local government elections in Oyo state.This is the day of social media, no one can do any hanky panky.
“It must be a transparent and credible elections. People are out there, waiting for APC to come out and we shall win. We discussed generally about progress of the party, now that the party has come together as one again. The party is back and we have what it takes to win any election in Oyo state today.
“We also seized the opportunity to appeal to all other members who are still out to come back to the fold of the party because when we are together, we are stronger as a party and I am so happy with the turnout at the meeting as well as the comment of the party leaders, from the exco members, candidates and everybody.
“They are all elated and in good spirit, and they are poised to win any election in Oyo state today. I am confident that the only party in Oyo state today is APC.
“We also congratulate out zonal leader in the person of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state who is also with us as our zonal leader to support us in this next election.
“And we spoke with our party chairmen at the local government levels to support the candidates for the next election to ensure we mobilise everybody and we do everything possible to ensure that we win the election, this April.”
PDP not relenting in campaigns
The ruling PDP basking on the March 2023 massive victory of Governor Makinde is also leaving no stone unturned in sustaining its hold of Oyo state in the coming local government elections going by the routine campaign embarked upon by all the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
From Ibadan, the state capital, to Ibarapa area, to Oke-Ogun, to Ogbomosho and Oyo town, it has been busy days all through for the politicians from all the 18 political party’s contesting the April 27 local government election .
On its party, leaders and supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state on Wednesday (April,3) stormed the Dubar Stadium in Oyo town for the officially flagging off of the party’s campaign as well as presentation of the party’s flags to the chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates vying for positions across the Oyo federal constituency.
Speaking at the flagging off and presentation of flags to the party candidates, a leader of the party, Chief Sunday Ogundare said PDP was committed to a fair electoral process, adding that the party was dedicated to engaging in transparent campaigning and consulting with relevant stakeholders, dismissing claims of electoral malpractice.
Chief Ogunlade tasked PDP members across the Oyo federal constituency to safeguard their voter cards diligently, recognising them as indispensable tools for securing victory in the upcoming polls.
He harped on the importance of active participation and unity within the party as key elements for success in the electoral arena.
OYSIEC Chairman warns parties to play by the rules
With the several assurances from the OYSIEC Chairman, Are Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), that the commission was determined to conduct free, fair and credible local government election in Oyo state come April 27, it seems all is set for the polls.
However, Olagunju warned the political parties and their leaders as well as candidates contesting in the election to be ready to abide by the laid down rules and regulations guiding the local government polls.
On the part of the political class in and across the state, there seems to be the readiness o their part to face the elections.
To many of them, the floor is again set for them to prove their popularity or otherwise with the April 27 local government polls.
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