Date: 2017-05-01

...it's mere speculation – Party Chair

Following recent persistent calls by the opposition parties to the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) to announce date for the local government, election, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ekiti local government, Joseph Adebayo, has yesterday declared that the election will most likely hold by October.

Adebayo stressed that the election is not visible in either May or June this year, saying the opposition parties calling for it's conduct should wake up to the reality of the law.

According to him, before the election can hold, there must be nomination of names, which the KWASIEC will display in their office for at least 60 days or as the law permits. He added that the opposition parties will equally take two months or more to prepare for the contest, adding that election is about process which must be followed to the last letter in order to make a credible exercise.

He stressed further that he believes strongly that the KWASIEC will not keep people in the dark about the poll when the time comes. Adebayo also maintained that APC is bent on taking instructions from the party leader; Dr Bukola Saraki, adding that adhering to instruction has been the secret of party successes in the state.

"The local government election will most likely come up by October; those calling for its conduct this month or next don't understand the law that governs the poll. It is not visible in May or June. There are processes to follow in order to have a credible election in the state.

"The opposition party should stop enjoying themselves in fools paradise; it is not possible on the date they've speculated. At least names will be submitted to the state electoral body and it will be displayed for two months or more and parties will equally be given 60 days or more to prepare, so how can this month or next be visible?

Meanwhile, the state APC chairman, Alhaji Balogun Fulani, who reacted to the issue yesterday night told Pilot Politics that anyone mentioning October as the date chosen for the poll is only been speculative. He stressed that party has not come out with any position, saying whoever suggests any date is only being a rumourmonger.

...as Fagbemi led-PDP faction set to commence mobilisation tour, Wednesday The leadership of Prince Sunday Fagbemi led-faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, has concluded plan to commence mobilisation of ist members against the forthcoming local government election in the state.

Fagbemi disclosed this to this medium yesterday saying the stakeholders of the party will be meeting this week (Wednesday) to determine areas to map out first. According to him, we need to let our members know that the time has come to take the state back, adding that the electorate should go out and participate in the ongoing Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) registration exercise.

He also reacted to the opinion of a party elder that the political offices will be shared between his faction and Iyiola Oyedepo-led faction saying he believes the idea has not been generally conceived by the elders' forum. He added that he is yet to be briefed on the development.