Four political parties have shown interests in participating in the forthcoming local government elections in Osun State, InsightMedia has gathered.
It was gathered that 14 parties had initially registered interest to partake in the election, but as at close of work on Friday, July 12, only four parties have reportedly written the Osun Independent Electoral Commission to inform the commission of their scheduled primary elections.
Investigation revealed that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was the first to submit its intention to conduct primary and the letter was submitted on Monday.
The State Chairman of the party, Tosin Odeyemi confirmed this while speaking with our reporter on Tuesday.
The ruling People’s Democratic Party has also submitted its notification letter as confirmed by the Chairman of OSSIEC, Hashim Abioye, while chatting with our correspondent on Friday.
Abioye said, “about four or five parties have submitted notification letter to us. I know of NNPP, PDP and maybe two others.”
He however did not name the remaining parties as he saw he was outside Osun State.
OSSIEC guidelines
According to OSSIEC guidelines released in February, Party primaries are to be between July 22 and August 5. However, parties are to give 21 days notice before their primaries.
This shows that parties can still their letters submitted till Tuesday.
Court judgement unsettles APC
Prior to the Supreme Court judgement that granted financial autonomy and abolished the setting up of caretaker committees in local government, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it was not going to participate in the polls.
The APC and some other parties have said they will not be participating in the election citing the appointment of Abioye as the reason.
The main opposition Party, which has bluntly communicated its disinterest in the polls, may have to review that decision.
Some of its members, particularly the local government officials who were dissolved by the Federal High Court in November said they still have a pending case, a claim that this reporter could not confirm while filing this report.
Legal Adviser to the APC, Adegoke Ogunsola while speaking with InsightMedia said the Party has not taken a decision on it in the light of the recent development.
He however said “the recent development, which is the Supreme Court judgement can’t guarantee a free and fair election. To us, Hashim Abioye is still a card-carrying member of the PDP.”
Another member of the Party, who doesn’t want his name in prints because he’s not authorized to speak on the matter said the Party may participate in the polls.
“Our Party may participate in the election. Letter for primary can still be submitted before the deadline.”
All efforts to speak with Kola Olabisi, the Director of Media of the Party failed and he said he’s currently outside the State.
OSSIEC battles lack of funds
As the preparation is still going on, the OSSIEC is currently cash-strapped as the commission’s budget has not been funded by the State government.
Sources familiar with the activities of the commission told InsightMedia that the Chairman of the Commission has been struggling to have have the budget funded but “all his efforts have been unproductive.”
One of the sources is however optimistic that the decision of the Supreme Court which now prohibits caretaker committees, may spur the Ademola Adeleke-led government to fund the budget of the commission.
The election is slated for 22nd of February, 2025.
