Labour Party Backs Out of Osun LG Election, Cites Security Concerns
The Labour Party (LP) in Osun State has announced its withdrawal from the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, citing inadequate security measures and poor preparations by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
LP Chairman Adebayo Bello, speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Friday, stated that the party was not confident in the security arrangements and urged the electoral body to postpone the election for at least two months to ensure proper organization.
“Election Might Be Disrupted” – LP Candidate
Echoing similar concerns, Oyebode Babalola, the party’s chairmanship candidate, also called for a postponement, warning that there were signs the election could be disrupted.
“Although we are fully prepared, we refuse to put our supporters’ lives at risk. We have observed disturbing signs that the election might not be peaceful.”
Other Political Parties Express Frustration
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) also pulled out of the election, with its chairman, Adewale Adebayo, expressing frustration over OSSIEC’s disorganized approach.
“When we tried to officially submit our withdrawal letter on Thursday, there was no one at OSSIEC’s office. The entire place was deserted since Wednesday.”
Journalists attempting to collect accreditation tags from OSSIEC’s office on Friday were turned away by security operatives, who confirmed that no staff had been present since Wednesday.
OSSIEC Chairman Unreachable
Efforts to reach OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, for comments were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone did not go through.
With multiple parties withdrawing and growing doubts over the credibility of the election, all eyes are now on OSSIEC and the Osun State government to address these concerns.
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