The Labour Party (LP) in Osun State has pulled out of Saturday’s local government election, citing inadequate security measures by the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Friday, the party’s state chairman, Adebayo Bello, expressed concerns over the security situation, stating that OSSIEC had not made sufficient arrangements to guarantee a peaceful election.
He called for the poll to be postponed for at least a month to allow better preparation and address legal issues surrounding the election.
LP’s chairmanship candidate, Oyebode Babalola, also raised alarm over potential threats to public safety, stressing that the party was unwilling to endanger the lives of its members.
He stated that despite their readiness for the election, security concerns had forced them to step aside. Babalola also criticized OSSIEC for its poor handling of preparations, revealing that the commission failed to provide accreditation tags for the party’s agents despite repeated requests.
Similarly, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has also announced its withdrawal from the election.
The party’s chairman, Adewale Adebayo, expressed frustration over OSSIEC’s disorganization, alleging that when he attempted to submit a withdrawal letter on Thursday, no officials were present to receive it.
Adebayo further claimed that OSSIEC staff, including its chairman, had vacated their headquarters since Wednesday.
He described the election as “illegal” and reaffirmed that his party would not take part.
Meanwhile, OSSIEC’s office was locked on Friday, preventing journalists from accessing the premises to collect accreditation tags. A security officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no one had been allowed entry since Wednesday.
Attempts to reach OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone did not connect.