PDP Withdraws from Ondo State Local Government Election Over Lack of Trust in ODIEC
With just 48 hours to go before the local government election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its withdrawal from the process, citing a lack of transparency and credibility in the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).
Bakita Bello, the acting chairman of the party, confirmed that the decision had been officially communicated to ODIEC. The party expressed concerns over the commission’s ability to organize a free and fair election, alleging double standards that had raised doubts about the election’s integrity.
A few months ago, the PDP had confirmed its participation in the January 18th, 2025, local government election after fielding 15 chairmanship and 131 councillorship candidates. However, following internal consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and the National Secretariat, the party decided to pull out.
In a statement signed by Leye Igbagbo, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Ondo State chapter, the PDP emphasized that their decision was based on a troubling pattern of behavior observed in ODIEC. The party noted, “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.”
The statement further clarified, “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.”
The PDP’s withdrawal has sparked further concerns regarding the transparency of the electoral process in Ondo State.
