Oyo LG Polls: APC calls for postponement

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State has called for the postponement of the May 22, 2021 LG election in the state for the party to be able to participate.

The call was made by the state party Chairman, Chief Akin Oke while addressing a Press Conference organised by the sacked Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) chairmen.

Oke said the postponement was to allow the APC participate in the election.

He said, “We could not be part of the preparation for that election at the initial stage because we felt the dissolution of democratically elected chairmen and councillors was illegal. Now that we have been vindicated, it is thus right for the government to give a level playing field in order for us to test our popularity.

“We are not afraid of the local government election, it is high time the OYSIEC postponed the election to accommodate us.”

Pacesetter news reported that the Supreme Court had declared the removal of the Local Government chairmen as null and void. The Court also awarded the sum of twenty million naira (N20m) against the Oyo State Government.

In addition, the court mandated Makinde to pay all the entitlements including salaries and allowances to all the sacked council bosses on or before 7th August, 2021.

Earlier in his address, the former ALGON chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye expressed appreciation to all those who contributed to the victory. He said the victory is dedicated to the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi who was instrumental to the victory based on the support he gave.

He described the action of the Governor to dissolve the elected council officials as executive rascality.

“He was the driving force who advised that we should not cause problem in the State, but to follow the rule of law by going to court.

“It is a display of executive rascality. We dedicate this victory to our boss, late Abiola Ajimobi who urged us not to fight them but to follow the rule of the law.

“It is all about the rule of law. It is about democracy to thrive in the grassroots. Makinde does not have any respect for the rule of law.

“He was the driving force who advised that we should not cause problems in the State, but to follow the rule of law by going to Court.

“We want to thank the former Governor, Abiola Ajimobi. We thank all our leaders, we thank the gentlemen of the press”, he concluded.