The conduct of election to thirty three (33) constitutionally recognized Local Governments and possibly the existing Local Council Development Areas(LCDA) in Oyo State may not feasible in early 2021 as being speculated, sequel to readiness of the state parliamentarians to renew the tenure of the caretaker chairmen for either three or six months.
The reliable piece of information gathered by Naijatodaynews.com indicates that the lawmakers of the pacesetter state may on Wednesday, December 16 renew the tenure of the caretaker chairmen for either three or six months.
The source who spoke on a condition of anonymity for fear of retribution revealed that the possibility of conducting the local government election in early 2021 is uncertain following the preparedness of the parliamentarians to approve the tenure’s renewal of the council chairmen for certain numbers of months.
The source said though the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC had been preparing on the conduct of local government election, stressing that the lawmakers’ intent to renew the tenure of the caretaker chairmen may possibly obstruct the planning and preparation of OYSIEC for the widely publicized election.
The source reiterated that OYSIEC had indicated enthusiasm in making the timetable for the election available in January,2021 but has not authoritatively disclosed when election would be conducted.
The source said that the two leading political parties: All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were no doubt in top gear to participate actively in the election which had been speculated to be conducted in early 2021 but the lawmakers’ disposition to tenure’s elongation may hinder its possibility.
The source enjoined the parliamentarians and Governor Seyi Makinde to allow the local government’s election to be conducted soonest, stressing that the local government remains the government that is closest to the people at the grassroots’ levels.
Adding that the idea of appointing the caretaker chairmen to man the affairs of the local government was an aberration to the local government system and also contrary to the provisions of democratic constitution.
Also lavishing encomiums on OYSIEC’s members on their readiness to conduct the election in the pacesetter state but enjoined them to ensure its conduct is free, fair and devoids of nepotism and favouritism to any political party.
