The Osun State chapter of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has announced its decision to boycott the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for February 22, citing concerns over legitimacy and fairness.
In a statement signed by the party’s chairman, Simeon Adewale, on Saturday, APM declared that it would not participate in the elections following the recent Court of Appeal verdict that reinstated previously removed local government officials.
The party argued that the reinstatement of the sacked officials casts doubt on the credibility of any election conducted afterward.
“We assert that any election taking place after this Court of Appeal verdict is illegal and fundamentally undermines the democratic process,” the statement read.
APM also expressed distrust in the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), alleging bias in favor of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The party accused the OSSIEC chairman of being a PDP member and a former aspirant in the last general election, raising concerns about his ability to oversee a free and fair electoral process.
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Furthermore, APM called on the government to respect the Court of Appeal’s ruling and avoid actions that could lead to unrest, emphasizing that local governance should be conducted with integrity and in adherence to the rule of law.
“Our decision to boycott the February 22 elections is made in the spirit of defending democracy and advocating for the rights of Osun State citizens. We urge all stakeholders to demand an electoral process that upholds fairness and transparency,” the party stated.
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