Oyo LG poll holds May 12 —OYSIEC

BARRING any unforeseen circumstances, elections into the 33 local government areas and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Oyo State will hold on Saturday, May 12, following the lifting of an order by a Federal High Court in Abuja last year.

The chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr Jide Ajeigbe, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists at the commission’s office in Ibadan.

Ajeigbe said machinery had been set in motion to make the date a reality and gave the assurance that all stakeholders would be carried along in the conduct of the election.

According to the OYSIEC chairman, “kindly recall that, I invited all of you here on Thursday January 19, 2017 after which we rolled out our timetable to conduct local government elections in the 33 local council areas and 35 Local Council Development Areas. However, the elections could not hold as planned, consequent upon a Federal High Court Abuja verdict on the order of injunction.

“The injunction order has been lifted and, God willing, the elections into the 33 local government areas and 35 Local Council Development Areas will now hold on Saturday, May 12, 2018, details of which will be out tomorrow.

“Let me reiterate this commission’s unwavering commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections in Oyo Sate. We will play our role as an impartial and unbiased umpire. I wish to appreciate all the stakeholders for your patience, continuous cooperation, understanding and support,” Ajeigbe said.

He appealed to all stakeholders, including journalists, to help in conducting successful local government elections in May.

“I wish to use this opportunity to remind and appeal to all stakeholders, starting from you gentlemen of the press, that your cooperation, mutual understanding and cordial relationship is hereby solicited in this regard. Let me also appeal to the various stakeholders to work hard, be focused and play according to the rules to ensure free, fair and credible elections come Saturday, May 12, 2018,” he said.