We’re ready for LG Polls – Kwara PDP Reacts to Court Ruling

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to participating in and winning the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.

The party has also clarified recent legal developments surrounding the elections, countering what it describes as misinformation propagated by the ruling party.

In a recent court ruling, the restraining order placed on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) was lifted. The court’s decision was based on the expiration of the ex parte order, which legally cannot exceed 14 days. While the PDP’s substantive case challenging KWASIEC’s processes continues, the party has expressed respect for the court’s ruling and is ready to proceed with the elections in compliance with the law.

The court also dismissed contempt charges against the KWASIEC Chairman, Alhaji Baba Okanla, citing the failure to serve the process on him personally. Since contempt charges require personal service and the accused’s presence in court, the charges were overruled on the basis of a lack of fair hearing.

PDP State Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olusola Adewara in a statement issued on Tuesday criticized the ruling government for allegedly distorting the court’s decision to suit their propaganda and mislead the public.

He emphasized that the PDP has never sought to stop the elections, a claim the party has consistently rejected. Instead, the PDP aims to ensure the elections are conducted freely, fairly, and transparently.

“Now that the court has ruled, the PDP is bound by the decision, and we are ready to compete in the elections with full confidence that the people of Kwara are solidly behind us,” Adewara said.

However, the party has raised concerns about potential election malpractice, accusing the ruling party of plotting to manipulate the results. The PDP claims to have received reports of plans to write results in advance, prevent election materials from reaching certain polling units, and use pre-thumbprinted ballot papers to influence the outcome.

In response to these allegations, Adewara called on security agencies to intensify their vigilance around KWASIEC as the elections approach. He warned against any attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral process and urged citizens to vote en masse, standing firm by their choices.

“The integrity of our electoral system must not be allowed to be bastardized by anti-democratic elements,” Adewara stressed, calling on well-meaning Kwarans to exercise their voting rights and stand for justice and good governance at the local level.

The PDP remains optimistic about its prospects in the elections, confident that the people of Kwara are united in their desire for transparency and accountability in local governance.