Edo LG polls: PDP may boycott polls

There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Edo State might boycott the local elections in the state scheduled to hold on March 3rd.

This is because the party is yet to begin sale of nomination forms to aspirants or fix a date for its party primaries.

The PDP has also expressed its resolved to seek injunction from the court to stop the Edo State Electoral Independent Commission ( EDSIEC ) from further conduct of the polls.

It called on members of EDSIEC headed by Prof. Stanley Orobator to disqualify themselves from conducting the polls.

Speaking to newsmen after an enlarged meeting of the party in a Benin City, State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party has resolved to critical issues of law regarding the proposed local government elections. 

Chief Orbih urged its members seeking to contest the election either as a chairman of councillor to remain calm pending judicial proclamation on the party’s suit.

Orbih said the party wants the court to determine whether the Edo State House of Asssembly can validly amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law to abridge the length of notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the Electoral Act as amended having regard for paragraphs 11 and 12 of part II of the second schedule of the Nigeria Constitution.

He said, “We also want the court to decide whether it is valid for the local government election to be conducted in Edo State without giving the PDP and other stakeholders the mandatory 90 days notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the electoral act as amended.

“Whether the amendment to the local government electoral act was done in violation of the mandatory of the rules of the Edo State House of Assembly on law making process in the House.

“These issues are very critical. We have a responsibility to protect and save democracy. We must put to and end the impunity of the APC in Edo and at the federal level.”

“We reject the composition of EDSIEC under the chairmanship of Prof. Stanley Orobator. They should disqualify themselves. Many of them are card carrying members of political parties. Our aspirants should remain calm while we are waiting for the decision of the judiciary.”

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