Osun records voter apathy in one-party LG election

BLESSING AKOROWOSI, Osogbo

Osun State, on Saturday, recorded low turnout of voters during its local government election.

The election conducted by Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had only one candidate of a party, All Progressives Congress (APC) involved as some political parties had earlier shown their disapproval of the election.

As stated in Section 106, subsection 17 of the 2022 Electoral act, OSIEC used the ‘Yes or No ballot paper and not the one containing registered parties.

Our correspondent who monitored the election in Osogbo Local Government area reports that though shops were shut and only a few vehicles were sighted until afternoon, the voters seen at polling units were scanty.

While there was no heavy presence of security men at polling units, the election was peaceful.

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola who voted at his polling unit, Ward 1 Unit 002, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, described the electoral process as peaceful and orderly.

He commended the electoral body for its resolve and commitment to having a transparent and credible LG electoral process.

“People deserve to have elected representatives at the local level which is the reason for the election that is happening here today. It is quite commendable. Security agencies are up to the task. I commend the people particularly our party members for coming out en masse to cast their ballots. Indeed, our democracy is thriving,” Oyetola said.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has flayed the electoral process and the All Progressives Congress.

The PDP accused Oyetola’s administration of wasting state resources on the election.

In a statement by its State Caretaker Chairman, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the party noted that the exercise was a failure and its outcome will not be taken.

Adekunle commended the Osun people for staying away from the council poll.

He said, “going by the attitude of Osun people, who largely stayed away from the sham put up by the outgoing APC administration, it is not too late for Oyetola to apologise and ensure that every penny expended on the failed exercise is returned to the state’s coffers.”

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