Ogun Local Govt Elections Postponed Over Insufficient Funds

This year local government elections in Ogun State has been put on hold by the state government because of insufficient fund.

“The elections would no longer hold this year until the following year 2021,” the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape was quoted saying.

Naija News understands that due to the development, those seeking positions of council chairmen and ward councillors in the state would have to wait until next year to know their fate. According to the commissioner, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) is yet to be constituted by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Speaking further on the development, Afuape noted that political parties in the state would be given three months notice for the local government election, adding that two additional months would be needed for preparations.

Speaking on Rock City FM, Abeokuta on Friday, Afuape alleged that COVID-19 pandemic contributed to why the election was delayed, adding that it did not allow the government to source for the huge amount of money needed for the election.

In his words, Afuape canvassed for the takeover of the local government elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commissioner noted that doing so will ensure the conduct of the election within the stipulated time and relieve state governments of the huge fund required for same.

Despite all readiness by candidates aspiring to be local government chairmen and councillors in Ogun State, Afuape noted that the state may conduct the council election in the next six months. Naija News understands that the 20 local governments in the state are currently being run by transition committees who were appointed in January by Gov Abiodun.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the 2020 Ondo State governorship polls will go ahead as planned despite fire incident.