The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ogun State successfully conducted its local government primaries on Friday, marking a significant step in the party’s preparations for the upcoming November 16, 2024, Local Government elections.
The primaries, described as peaceful and credible by party leaders, saw the selection of candidates for both chairmanship and councilorship positions across the state’s local governments.
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) played a pivotal role in ensuring the transparency of the primaries.
High-ranking officials from the commission were present to oversee the process, including Mr. Tunji Akogun, the Commissioner in charge of operations at OGSIEC; Mrs. Gbemisola Onasanya, the Commissioner responsible for Security and Protocol; and Mr. Ahmed Awoyade, the Special Adviser to the OGSIEC Chairman.
The active involvement of OGSIEC officials was seen as a positive move by SDP members, who praised the commission for its impartiality.
According to Dr. Yinka Ola-Williams, the Chairman of the Ogun State SDP, the peaceful and orderly conduct of the primaries reflected the commission’s commitment to fairness.
He expressed confidence in OGSIEC’s ability to manage the upcoming local government elections with the same level of integrity.
While addressing party members at the primary election venue in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Dr. Ola-Williams affirmed the party’s readiness to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for leadership in the state’s councils.
He further stated that the SDP is positioning itself to become a formidable force not just at the local government level, but in the overall political landscape of Ogun State, particularly in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
He said “We are here for our state primaries, the primaries for the local government chairmen and the councillors, we are happy that it went all very well and it is a wonderful one and we are looking forward for the election. It is a free, fair and credible primaries, OGSIEC the did very well, at least what we have seen so far is sincerity and we pray that sincerity continue even after the elections.”
“It is a credible and a fair one, and that is should be and what we ensure that in our polling booths that we try as much as possible to get a credible agents who is loyal to the party to be able to monitor our votes successfully that there is no voting buying, no rigging during the elections”
“We have done several meetings with OGSIEC and the matter had been brought to them challenging that they would not play to the dictate of the pay master and OGSIEC had told us consistently that they are neutral, unbiased and they would not be partial We are only praying for them that devil wil not use them and God will help them to do the right thing” he added
