PDP Declares Readiness for Kwara Local Council Polls

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its readiness for the local council elections scheduled for September 21, 2024, as announced by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC).

In a statement issued on Saturday in Ilorin by the party’s spokesman, Olusegun Olushola Adewara, following a general meeting with political parties and the state electoral commission, the PDP confirmed its preparedness for the elections.

The party was represented by its state chairman, Babatunde Mohammed, and state party secretary, Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode.

“The PDP is pleased to declare that our party is fully prepared for the upcoming elections. Consequently, we have not requested any adjustments to the election timetable previously released by KWASIEC,” the statement read.

“Our commitment to a transparent and timely electoral process remains steadfast, and we are confident in our readiness to participate under the current schedule.”

Addressing the cost of nomination forms, the PDP, in agreement with suggestions from other parties, advocated for affordable fees for all prospective aspirants.

The party proposed that nomination forms for councilorship should not exceed N50,000, while those for chairmanship should be capped at N200,000.

Efforts to reach Aro Folaranmi, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC), were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered.

However, sources indicate that the ruling APC has set its nomination fees at N100,000 for chairmanship positions and N25,000 for councilorship positions.

Notably, forms for females and individuals with physical challenges will be available at no cost, and there are plans for a consensus arrangement within the party for the local council elections.

The PDP urged KWASIEC to maintain its independence and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.

The statement emphasized that the commission, led by Okanla, must go the extra mile to demonstrate its impartiality and resist any influence from the ruling APC.

“The integrity of our democratic processes is paramount, and any actions that compromise this integrity must be addressed with the utmost seriousness,” the PDP stated.