From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), on Friday disclosed that 16 political parties have agreed to participate in the Osun State Local Government Election slated for October 15.
The chairmen of the 16 political parties at a press conference in Osogbo, said only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Peoples Party (APP), have threatened to boycott the election for the reason best known to them.
The State Chairman of IPAC, Comrade Wale Adebayo, who read the jointly signed statement, disclosed that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), had planned and informed political parties about the election before the COVID-19 stalled the process.
According to the IPAC, the decision to participate in the election was because of the need to have a government that is near to the people.
“The political parties under the aegis of IPAC met and rub minds together and concluded that since the Local Government and the Local Council Development Areas are the nearest to the members of the public at the grassroots, IPAC supports every positive step to bring good governance to the people.
“In this wise, IPAC fully supports the conduct of the election by the Election Management Body (EMB) – OSIEC. We hereby enjoin OSIEC to ensure that the exercise is done in conformity with the law – OSIEC Electoral Law and the Electoral Act 2022.
“Of course, we hardly need to emphasize that the Elections must be conducted transparently and must be free, fair and credible,” the council added.
It, however, called on the people of the state to exercise their civic duties, saying “of the eighteen 18 parties registered in the State, we are happy to confirm that sixteen political parties have agreed to participate in the election by presenting candidates for the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions for the 15th October 2022 Local Government Elections in the State.”