Crisis brews in PDP over boycott of LG polls
By Bukola Olamona & Bamidele Kolawole
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Disgruntled members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akure South Local Government Area have decried the party’s decision to withdraw from Saturday local government elections.
At a press conference in Akure, the members refuted allegations that they had been financially induced to forgo the elections.
They clarified that the decision to boycott the polls was made by the party leadership, not by individual members.
Adekanmbi Oluwatuyi, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Akure South, alongside councilorship aspirants from the area, expressed their dissatisfaction with the party’s withdrawal.
He lamented that aspirants had already made substantial financial and logistical commitments in preparation for the polls.
“Last month, the party called us after we lost the last general election to inform us that it would not participate in the local government election due to a lack of funds,” said Oluwatuyi.
“We told them it is our responsibility as aspirants to partake in the election, and the party eventually gave us the go-ahead to proceed.”
He explained that the aspirants had borne the financial costs of campaigning, which included printing posters, organising meetings, canvassing, and creating jingles to mobilise voters.
Oluwatuyi criticised the party’s abrupt decision to pull out of the elections without consulting the aspirants, calling it a violation of their rights.
“We were loyal and committed to this party. We made all necessary preparations for the election, believing we had an 85% chance of winning. For the party to now call for a boycott is not only disappointing but also a betrayal of our trust and efforts,” he stated.
He further accused the PDP leadership of failing both the aspirants and the people of Akure South, who had been mobilised to support the party’s candidates.
While Oluwatuyi acknowledged that the aspirants would comply with the directive to boycott the election, he stressed that the decision was not in the best interests of the aspirants or their supporters.
