Anxiety mounts over Oyo LG election •Assembly invites OYSIEC

OYO State House of Assembly has resolved to invite the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for questioning over its continued quietness on local government election since inauguration about two months ago.

Members, who deliberated on a motion jointly sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader, Honourable Oyaleke Oyatokun and Majority Leader, Honourable Kehinde Subair, expressed growing concerns of members of the public about the conduct of local government election in the state.

Presenting the motion entitled, “Need for Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission to kick off the Process for the Conduct of Local Government Election in the State,” Oyatokun expressed fear that the continued failure of the OYSIEC to release electoral guidelines may promote continued extension of the tenure of caretaker chairmen.

On fears that the activities of the electoral commission may be ridden by lack of funds, Oyatokun argued that provision was made for the conduct of local government election in the 2016 budget.

“The inauguration of the OYSIEC shows that the governor is serious about conducting local government election. But for over two months, the OYSIEC is yet to come up with any information about the conduct of the election. We are concerned because if OYSIEC does not come up with any guideline, we may still be asked to extend the tenure of caretaker chairmen.”

In her contribution, Honourable Oladeji Olawumi, Ogbomoso North Constituency, had noted that there was growing pessimism, urging the OYSIEC to brace up and show seriousness about the conduct of the election.

Similarly, Honourable Olusegun Olaleye, Ibadan North II Constituency, noted that the continued use of caretaker chairmen remained a stop-gap arrangement that provided shadow leadership at the local government level.

He, therefore, urged the OYSIEC to come up with its guidelines for the much-expected local government election.

Honourable Oyebamiji Joshua, Akinyele 1 constituency, commented that it was high time the OYSIEC published a timetable for the election.

Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, is the head of the Ad hoc Committee formed to meet with OYSIEC chaired by Mr Olajide Ajeigbe.