The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, has declared its commitment to contesting and winning the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 21 September, 2024.
The declaration is coming a few hours after a high court in Abuja lifted the restraining order initially placed on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWAISEC).
The court’s decision was based on the expiration of the ex parte order, which, by law, cannot extend beyond 14 days.
Reacting to the development, spokesman of the PDP in the state, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital said “While the substantive case challenging the processes of KWASIEC continues, the PDP fully respects the court’s ruling and will proceed with the elections in accordance with the law.
“We are aware that the ruling government has made an attempt to twist this outcome to suit their propaganda and mislead the people.
“We must emphasize that the PDP is not, and has never been, interested in stopping the elections. We have stated this on multiple occasions.
“Our goal is not to stop the elections which we have long agitated for but we are duty bound to ensure that LG elections are conducted freely, fairly, transparently and in accordance with all laid down rules.”
The spokesman said with the court ruling, “the PDP is bound by the decision, and we are ready to compete in the elections with full confidence that the people of Kwara are solidly behind us.
“That said, we are fully aware of the plans and statements from certain quarters within the ruling party regarding their intentions to manipulate the election results.”
He alleged that the party has received reports of the ruling party’s intentions to write results ahead of the elections and prevent election materials from reaching polling units in some areas.
“There are even rumors of pre-thumb printed ballot papers set to be stuffed into boxes on the day of elections,” he added.
The party charged security agencies to swing into action and increase their vigilance around KWASIEC as the council elections approach, asserting that “the integrity of our electoral system must not be allowed to be bastardized by the anti-democracy elements who found themselves in public office.”
The spokesman noted that “while it is clear that trust in the integrity of KWASIEC is at the moment very low, we call on all well-meaning citizens to come out en masse and exercise their right to vote and stand firm by their votes.”
