By Omowumi Omotosho
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has called on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) to adhere to a recent court order that restrained it from proceeding with the local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.
The PDP emphasized its preparedness for the local government elections whenever KWSIEC follows established rules and regulations. The party criticized the current administration’s alleged attempts to create legal traps to nullify unfavourable election outcomes.
A Federal High Court in Abuja recently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release the National Voter Register to KWSIEC for the upcoming local government elections. This order is in place until the motion for an interlocutory injunction filed by the PDP is heard and determined.
Justice Peter Lifu also prohibited KWSIEC and the State Attorney General from receiving, accepting, or using the national voter register or any part related to Kwara State for the council’s election.
Speaking on a radio program, ‘Oro Ilu’ on Sobi FM, Ilorin, on Monday, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir stated that the PDP sought the injunction to prevent unconstitutional actions by the state electoral body.
Abdulqadir asserted that the PDP, being a law-abiding party, has complied with all election processes as directed by KWSIEC. He stressed the party’s commitment to addressing the alleged violations by KWSIEC, accusing it of deliberately flouting the Local Government Electoral Laws of Kwara State.
“For instance, KWSIEC under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has refused to follow the timeline for the election as stipulated by law. When this government wanted to avoid LG elections then, it set a year timeline for the election process. We all kicked against it then.
“Now that the Supreme Court has boxed them into a corner and they are having a leeway, the state government is plotting to have it within 4 months. That’s in flagrant violation of the law that you made and we must not allow such illegality.”
Abdulqadir also praised the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments. He believes this will enhance grassroots development and promote true democracy.
“The PDP is ready for the election, which we have been clamouring for since 2019 when Gov. Abdulrazaq came to power and illegally dissolved the duly elected LG executives.
“He never wanted to hold the local government election but found himself boxed into a corner following the Supreme Court ruling, which the state government initially kicked against.
“For more than five years, no one knows how the local government fund was being expended in Kwara, and we really need to query the Kwara government for the use of LG funds.
“As it stands, the PDP is the only alternative for the people because the state has continued to regress since the coming of the APC government in Kwara State.
“Now that there’ll be a legitimate government at the local level, the people can have a government closer to them. The political holders, too, will owe allegiance to the people and not the Governor as we have it in Kwara today,” he stated.
