The Labour Party (LP) in Osun State has withdrawn from Saturday’s local government election, citing inadequate security arrangements by the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
LP Chairman in Osun, Adebayo Bello, announced the decision on Friday in Osogbo, stating that the party was not convinced of the commission’s preparedness to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He called for a postponement of the election for at least a month to allow for better security planning and resolution of legal issues surrounding the poll.
Similarly, LP’s chairmanship candidate, Oyebode Babalola, expressed concerns over possible disruptions, emphasizing that the party would not risk the safety of its members.
He noted that despite being prepared for the election, uncertainties about security arrangements had influenced their decision to withdraw.
Babalola also criticized OSSIEC for what he described as poor planning, revealing that the commission failed to provide accreditation tags for party agents despite repeated requests.
In a related development, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) also announced its withdrawal from the election. The party’s chairman, Adewale Adebayo, expressed disappointment with OSSIEC’s handling of the process.
He claimed that when he attempted to submit an official withdrawal letter on Thursday, there were no commission officials present to receive it.
Adebayo alleged that OSSIEC staff, including its chairman, had vacated their headquarters since Wednesday. He labeled the election as “illegal” and reaffirmed his party’s decision not to participate.
Meanwhile, the OSSIEC office remained closed on Friday, with security personnel denying journalists access to the premises.
One security officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no one had been allowed entry since Wednesday. Efforts to reach OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile phone did not go through.
