The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its decision to boycott the forthcoming local government election, describing the move as a sign of fear, political weakness and lack of confidence in its popularity among the electorate.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Oyo State PDP, Oluyinka Tella, the ruling party said democracy thrives on participation and healthy competition rather than threats, excuses and attempts to discredit constitutional processes.
According to the PDP, it is contradictory for a political party that claims to enjoy widespread public support to refuse participation in an election meant to test its popularity among voters.
The PDP challenged the APC to prove its acceptance by contesting the election, arguing that any party genuinely confident of its strength should be eager to face the electorate rather than resort to boycott threats and allegations.
The party also questioned the APC’s commitment to local government autonomy, noting that despite its frequent advocacy for grassroots governance, it took the party seven years to conduct local government elections, while Governor Seyi Makinde would have conducted such elections three times during his tenure.
The PDP maintained that the conduct of local government elections is a constitutional responsibility of the appropriate electoral body and should not be subjected to political pressure or intimidation. It also dismissed claims that the exercise was designed to serve personal interests.
The party further argued that the APC’s stance appears to be an attempt to justify a possible electoral defeat in advance, claiming that the opposition has struggled to connect with the people despite its criticisms of the current administration.
Reaffirming its readiness for the poll, the PDP urged stakeholders to support a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process. The party stressed that democracy ultimately reflects the will of the people and not the fears of political actors who have lost touch with the electorate.
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