Ogun PDP boycotts LG polls, as Lagos govt restricts movement

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn from this Saturday’s council polls in Ogun State.

The Chairman of the PDP in the state, Hon Sikirulai Ogundele, stated this yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Hon Ogundele urged aspirants and members of the party to remain calm, saying the withdrawal was sequel to a judgment of the Ogun State High Court involving him and the state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).

He said, “Sequel to the judgement of the Ogun State High Court, Isabo, in suit no M/55/2021 between Sikirulai Ogundele VS OGSIEC, affirming the CONSENT JUDGEMENT of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as delivered on 22nd June, 2021, the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the able chairmanship of Alhaji (Dr) Sikirulai Ogundele hereby makes the following pronouncement:

“That consequent upon the said judgement in suit M/55/2021, Ogun State PDP withdraws its participation in the Ogun State Local Government Elections which are scheduled for Saturday 24th July, 2021.

“That all candidates of the party who have been earlier screened by the party to contest in the LG elections and all our teeming party members and loyal supporters are enjoined to remain calm and sustain their confidence in the leadership of the party.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has announced restriction of movement across the state between 8.am and 3.pm on Saturday.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the restriction was to enable the State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) conduct hitch-free LG and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) elections in the state to elect chairmen and councillors in all the 57 LG and LCDAs.

He explained that, “The restriction will ease movement of the electorate, election materials and LASIEC officials for the sanctity of the elections, effective monitoring and enhanced security.”