The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has opted out of the April 23 local government election to be conducted by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).

 
The boycotting of the local government election by the SDP made it two major political parties who have decided to boycott the council poll as the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier decided not to participate in the election.

 
The SDP at its inaugural meeting held in Akure, the state capital Wednesday based its decision on the lack of confidence in the composition of the State ODIEC saying the body as presently constituted cannot conduct free and fair elections.
In the communique signed by the Chairman, Chief Korede Duyile and Secretary, Mr Dele Ogunbameru stated that what the state electoral umpire planned for April 23 is more of selection than election.

 
The party said: “That the SDP noted the preparations being made so far by state government controlled electoral body (ODIEC), and resolved that no responsible political party in the opposition will expect to take part in the election.

“That even if any opposition party ventures to take part in the election and win majority of the votes ODIEC will only award few votes to such a party.

 
“That both the state government and ODIEC need to settle all legal encumbrances in regard to the conduct of local government election.”

Credit : Today