•Closely Fought Contests Expected In Ife, Others
•318 Candidates Unopposed
By Francis Ezediuno
The Osun Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has revealed that out of the 389 wards across the state that elections will be held, actual voting will hold in 71 wards, as 318 councillorship positions have been presented unopposed.
This was disclosed by the Commission Chairman, Otunba Segun Oladitan, during a press conference held to sensitise the public on the level of preparedness for the council polls that will be held on Saturday across the state.
Otunba Oladitan also noted that after the first press conference, the Commission registered 36 political parties for the upcoming polls and only 18 returned their forms.
“Also, 38 parties registered at the initial stage out of which only 18 signified their intention to participate”.
He also revealed that, 12 of the political parties that had earlier submitted their forms also withdrew from the race leaving the space for Labour Party, All Progressive Congress, Accord Party, Social Democratic Party and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria.
“I can reliably tell you that 12 political parties have withdrawn from participating in the election, leaving only six (6) political parties in the race”.
Stating further, Oladitan related that the issue of unopposed candidature presented a problem but the Commission resorted to the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.
“Furthermore, of all the candidates representing the participating political parties in the 389 wards across the state, 318 councillorship candidates in 318 wards have been presented unopposed representing candidates who satisfy the requirements of the law with reference to Section 41 of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. Therefore, there shall be elections in only seventy-one (71) wards of this state”.
The Commission Chairman revealed that the spread is as follow: Osun-Central, 6; Osun-West, 13 and Osun-East; 52 wards, while the spread for the unopposed candidates was Osun-Central, 128; Osun-West, 117; and Osun-East, 73.
Going by the analysis, the election would be keenly contested in Osun East particularly in Ile-Ife and its environ where voting would be conducted in 52 wards.
Meanwhile, the Government of the state of Osun had earlier declared yesterday, Thursday, January 25 and today, Friday, January 26 as public holidays.
Local governments where the election will hold includes: Boripe, Atakunmosa East, West and West Central, Ife Central, Ife Central West, Ife East, Ife East Central, Ife North, Ife North West, Ife South-West, Ilesa East, Ilesa-West, Obokun, Obokun-East, Oriade, Oriade South, Ayedaade, Ede North, Ede North Area Council, Egbedore-South Administrative Office, Isokan Local Government, Iwo Local and Iwo-East.
