The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially announced its withdrawal from the local government elections slated for Saturday, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.
The announcement, made through a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Leye Igbabo, on Thursday, has sent ripples through the state’s political landscape. With the PDP stepping aside, only 12 of the 13 screened political parties remain in contention.
Titled “Ondo PDP Withdraws from Participating in the January 18th Local Government Election”, the statement reflected a scathing assessment of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC). The PDP accused the body of lacking transparency, impartiality, and fairness—factors they deemed critical for a credible election.
“From all indications, ODIEC’s credibility, transparency, and impartiality have failed the integrity test,” the statement read. “Recent observations and reports point to a troubling pattern of double standards, raising serious doubts about their ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.”
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The party revealed that it had initially fielded candidates across 15 local government areas—15 chairmanship candidates and 131 councillorship candidates. But after extensive consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and its National Secretariat, the PDP resolved to withdraw.
For the PDP, the decision wasn’t merely about a political race—it was about safeguarding democratic values.
“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 statement emphasized.
According to the party, endorsing the process by participating would undermine their principles and the trust of their supporters. “We have resolved to withdraw our participation to uphold the integrity of our party and our unwavering belief in credible electoral practices,” the statement added.
The withdrawal has intensified political tension in Ondo State, with many questioning the neutrality of ODIEC and the implications for future elections. While some see the PDP’s decision as a bold stance against electoral malpractice, others view it as a missed opportunity to challenge the system from within.
For voters in Ondo State, the PDP’s absence could shift dynamics at the grassroots level, altering the competitive landscape.
The ball is now in ODIEC’s court to restore public confidence in its processes. With 12 parties remaining in the race, all eyes are on the electoral commission to demonstrate transparency and fairness during Saturday’s elections.