Ondo LG Election: PDP Withdraws Over Alleged Lack of Transparency by ODIEC

With just 48 hours to the local government election in Ondo State scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, has announced its withdrawal from the exercise.

The opposition party accused the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) of lacking transparency and credibility, asserting that the electoral body cannot be trusted to conduct a free and fair election.

Party’s Position Communicated to ODIEC

Confirming the development, the acting chairman of the PDP in Ondo State, Bakita Bello, stated that the party’s decision had been formally communicated to ODIEC.

The PDP had previously expressed readiness to participate in the poll, fielding 15 chairmanship and 131 councillorship candidates across the state.

However, recent findings reportedly compelled the party to reconsider its position.

Letter Highlights Concerns
In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbagbo, the PDP emphasized that its decision followed consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and the National Secretariat.

The statement read in part:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter, has withdrawn from participating in the January 18, 2025, local government elections organized by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).

“This decision is a product of several layers of consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and the National Secretariat of our great party.

“Recent observations and reports point to a troubling pattern of double standards by ODIEC, raising serious doubts about their ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.

“As a responsible political party committed to democracy and the rule of law, we cannot, in good conscience, confer legitimacy on this compromised process by participating in the election.”

Implications for the Election
The PDP’s withdrawal casts a shadow over the credibility of the upcoming local government election, raising concerns about voter turnout and the inclusiveness of the process.

Efforts to obtain a response from ODIEC regarding the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

It remains to be seen how the electoral body and other stakeholders will address the concerns raised by the PDP in the final hours leading to the poll.