LG Polls: PDP Clears 32 Out Of 33 Councils In Oyo State

By Seyifunmi Odunuga

IBADAN – The ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party in Oyo State has won 32 out of the 33 local government areas of the state.

This was announced by Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr. Isiaka Olagunju after the presentation of results by the returning officers for the local government areas at the headquarters of the Commission, Agodi, Ibadan, on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

The election which held on Saturday, May 22, 2021, witnessed low turnout of voters, violence and disruption in some parts of the state while the no-movement restriction order was largely disobeyed by residents.

The results as announced by Olagunju indicated that the PDP won in the following local governments including: Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Kajola, Iwajowa, Atisbo, Saki East, Saki West, Oorelope, Irepo and Olorunsogo.

Others are: Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Ogo-Oluwa, Oriire, Surulere, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa North, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo West and Oyo East.

The list also include: Ibadan North East, Akinyele, Oluyole, Lagelu, Ibadan North West, Egbeda, Ibadan South West, Ona Ara, Ibadan North, Ibadan South East and Ibarapa East.

Barring last minute change, the elected chairmen will be sworn in on Monday, May 24, 2021 by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Election for the Iddo LG was suspended as a result of the omission of the logo of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) on the ballot paper on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

The election has been slated for Wednesday, May 26, 2021, making it the third time it would be changed in two days.

Olagunju had earlier fixed Sunday, May 23, and later May 29 date said the date was again brought back to May 26, considering that governors will be celebrating on that day.

According to the state electoral umpire, 17 parties participated in the election by their party logo reflecting on the ballot papers.

But, the All Progressive Congress (APC) denied participating in the polls claiming it’s request for an extension of time by OYSIEC, owing to a recent Supreme Court victory of the sacked council bosses, was rebuffed by the Commission.

Prior to announcing what could be described as a ‘sweeping victory’ for the ruling party, the returning officer for Ibarapa East LG, Mr Kareem Thompson confirmed that hoodlums actually invaded ward 7, unit 3 and Ward 5, causing mayhem and carted away ballot boxes and electoral materials.

Upon receiving information of the violence, Thompson said he ordered that result of ward 5 and ward 7, unit 3 be cancelled.

Ruling on the report presented by the electoral officer, the OYSIEC Chairman declared the PDP candidate as winner having polled the highest number of votes in nine out of the 10 wards in the local government.

Olagunju, however, ruled that election will be conducted for councillorship in Ward 5 on a date to be announced later.

Some of the areas where cases of violence, gunshots, ballot snatching among others were recorded during the polls include: Oke-Ola, Eruwa in Ibarapa East, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South and Orire LGs.

The chaotic situation it was gathered led to the announcement of the withdrawal in the polls.