The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has expressed its readiness for local government elections.
The main opposition party however declared that it would not support illegal actions deliberately concocted as a booby trap to ensure the nullification of the outcome if the results do not favour the government in power.
In a statement signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party said it supported the recent court order restraining the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) from proceeding with the local government elections slated for September 21, 2024, pending determination of the case.
The party noted that “while the restraining order by the Federal High Court, Abuja, is a welcome development and a significant victory for the people of Kwara State who have been yearning for local government elections since 2019, it has thwarted a calculated plot by the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to ambush the people ahead of the forthcoming local government elections”.
“In a sinister bid to set a booby trap for the people, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, in connivance with KWSIEC, deliberately violated some sections of the Electoral Act.
“This premeditated act was designed so that if the election outcomes do not favour the Governor, he could simply hire someone to seek nullification of the elections in court, citing non-compliance with the electoral guidelines.”
“Our party’s swift action has thwarted this sinister plan, ensuring that the hope of the people will not be dashed by political machinations of Governor Abdulrahaman.
“Our party is fully prepared for the elections and we were the first political party to submit names of candidates and their credentials for all the 16 LGA chairmanship and 193 councilorship seats to KWSIEC. However, we know that we owe it a responsibility to ensure that we protect our people from the political trap being set by Governor Abdulrazaq and his party.
“It is evident that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is not genuinely prepared for any local government elections. He was being forced into this corner by the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.
“His determination to employ every crooked means to ensure his handpicked candidates are imposed on our local government councils only underscores his intention to continue looting funds meant for local government areas from federal revenue allocation.
“This judicial intervention has, therefore, saved the Kwara electorate from falling into a carefully laid booby trap This restraining order is a testament to the PDP’s vigilance and dedication to protecting the democratic rights of the good people of Kwara State.
“We call on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and ensure they guide against all forms of manipulations that will continue to enable agents of state Governors to continue mismanaging resources meant for the development of the tier of government that is closest to the people – the Local Government Councils”, the Kwara PDP added.
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