The All Progressives Congress (APC) has withdrawn from this year’s local government election in 33 council areas citing illegal planning and ill-conceived and self servicing occurrences as motives behind the withdrawal.
The APC stated that the poll would further worsen the political unpromising situation at the state’s grassroot level, as stated in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare.
The circular issued on Thursday, held that the party would not only boycott the polls but also work with other party stakeholders to make sure the event fails to hold in its December schedule.
The party accused Governor Seyi Makinde of trying to instill his allies as council chairmen prior to the end of administrative tenure, adding that the state’s leader can not be trusted.
“The whole world knows that Governor Makinde does not believe in local government autonomy, and when it comes to democracy at the grassroots, he cannot be trusted for anything,” Sadare said.
Sadare further claimed the governor was attempting to impose loyalists who would remain politically aligned with him after leaving office, stressing that such plans would fail after the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the Tinubu administration’s recent push to enforce local government autonomy underscored the need for improved governance at the grassroots.
Sadare said poor management of council funds had left several rural communities worse off. He argued that despite receiving N550 million federal allocation on the Oriire Local Government Area, there was little development to show in providing succour for victims’ family.
He dismissed the 2020 and 2024 local government elections as fraudulent exercises and maintained that residents would reject a repeat.
Sadare cautioned officials involved in organizing the poll to back down, warning of consequences and accusing them of plotting to subvert the democratic process for personal gain.