Ekiti Holds LG Election, As Parties Show Apathy, Gov Oyebanji Sues For Peace

By Ayodele Oni

Following the conduct of Local Government Election in Ekiti State on Saturday, the State Government has announced restriction of movement.

As at close of work on Friday, the only political party which has fully signified intention to participate in the Council Poll is the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier announced its intention not to participate.

The State Independent National Electoral Commission (SIEC) said it had distributed sensitive and non sensitive materials for the election.

The election is expected to produce 16 chairmen and vice or the local governments as well as for the nine Local Council Development Areas, (LCDAs).

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has urged the people of the  State to be law abiding and conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner during Saturday’s local government election.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, told the people to see the local government election as an important step in enhancing development and good governance at the grassroots.

Governor Oyebanji urged the voters to consider the overriding Ekiti interest as well as the interests of their respective local government councils  in determining who gets elected.

He, however, urged them to go about the electoral process in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.

Oyebanji equally appealed to the candidates in the election as well as the political class to pursue their ambitions and interests peacefully, noting that the peace of Ekiti State is not negotiable.

The Governor called on traditional, religious and community leaders to use their influence to prevent youths from engaging in activities that may have negative impact on the election.

According to the Governor, security agencies are at alert to respond to any act of violence or brigandage during the process. He, therefore, advised those planning to cause any disruption to reconsider their actions.

He also called on the state electoral commission to ensure transparency and professionalism in the conduct of the election in the overall interest of the state.

“The local government election is crucial to our development agenda, and every citizen has a role to play in ensuring we have a hitch- free election that will produce a new set of officials for all our councils.”