The PDP in Kwara State and the opposition ACN are expected to test their strength at Offa LG of the state as the LG elections appeal tribunal last week affirmed the verdict of the election petition tribunal which nullified the election of Offa Council Chairman.

The nullification of the January 2010 local government election for Offa local council in August 2012 by the local government election petition tribunal saw the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) re-strategising towards a rerun ordered by the tribunal.

But the action Congress of Nigeria (ACN )was quick to tell the PDP not to gloat over the victory as it was prepared to appeal the verdict of the tribunal as it said it was dissatisfied with the judgment.

The ACN made good its threat and appealed the verdict of the lower tribunal but got a simlat judgment.

Offa is the only local government controlled by the ACN in Kwara with the remaining 15 local governments being ruled by PDP. The ACN also has the two House of Assembly seats in Offa hence ACN’s determination to remain the ruling party in Offa.

The PDP on its party says it remains the only acceptable party in the entire state and vows to win back the local government where it hitherto ruled until the last local government election.

A PDP source told Daily Trust that the defeat of PDP in the local government was as a result of internal squabbles among those that matter in Offa PDP, saying the wrangling has been resolved and the party is ready to win back the local government any time election is conducted.  

It would be recalled that the PDP candidate, Abdulwaheed Olanipekun had challenged the victory of Prince Popoola of the ACN in the local government by election, claiming the election was conducted in violation of the state electoral law.

The tribunal agreed with him and nullified the election while ordering for a fresh poll to be conducted within 120 days as well. Dissatisfied with the lower tribunal verdict, the ACN and its candidate appealed the judgment and prayed the court to set aside the earlier judgment. Sadly, the three-man appeal tribunal led by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf affirmed the earlier verdict, saying the lower tribunal did not nullify Popoola’s election in error.   

Justice Yusuf added that “it is crystal clear that the tribunal nullified the election on the basis of irregularities and non accreditation of voters. The judgement of the lower tribunal was not perverse.”

The judge also reproached the state Independent Electoral Commission for conducting a shoddy election.

He said, “The manner the commission handled the election was worrisome. It did a shoddy job. The two local government elections of October 30th, 2010 and January 12th, 2011 were conducted in violation of the state’s Electoral law as amended.”

Reacting to the judgement, Popoola said he and his party have accepted the verdict in good faith and boasted that Offa people would always vote for ACN even if election is held 100 times.

“We have our misgivings about the whole thing. But since the ruling of the Appeal Tribunal is final on this matter, we accept it in good faith as members of a political party that cherishes rule of law and public peace,” he said in a statement issued in Offa a jiffy after the ruling.

“But our opponents should make no mistake about the resolve of the Offa people to always express and defend their voting rights and, God willing, I am confident of our people’s overwhelming support and victory in Offa even if election is held 100 times”, he added.

The PDP on its part said in a statement by its director of publicity, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe that the judgment “has further vindicated us as the only party known and accepted”, adding the victory was for the rule of law and triumph of truth over falsehood. We will set machinery in motion to integrate the people of Offa into the mainstream of Kwara politics”.

Ahead of the election, Daily Trust gathered that the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has appointed three members for the state Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) who are expected to appear for screening on Wednesday at the state House of Assembly.

The members, as contained in a letter sent to the House by the governor, are Barrister A.T Ahmed (Ilorin West), Engr. Alabi Oba (Ilorin East) and Toye Azeez (Oyun).

The forthcoming poll, would incontrovertibly serve as an acid test for the vaunted popularity of the PDP in the local government just as the ruling PDP’s victory could break the opposition in the area. To know where the pendulum swings is just a matter of time.