21 parties to field candidates for Kwara LG poll

At least 21 political parties have indicated their interest to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Kwara state, scheduled to hold November 18, 2017. Kwara state Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) had earlier fi xed it for November 4, 2017, but the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Uthman Ajidagba, on Friday, last week, announced that the poll would now hold on November 18, 2017. He said the shift in date followed the demand from stakeholders that those on pilgrimage should be allowed to return “so that they can participate in their party primaries.”

Th e representatives of the political parties who all attended a meeting/ interface chaired by the KWSIEC chairman, held at its headquarters did not object to the new date. Th ey, however, called on the Commission to provide a levelplaying ground for all parties during the poll. Th ose in attendance at the meeting were representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Kowa Party, All Progressives Congress (APC); Young Democratic Party (YDP); Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Citizens Party of Nigeria (CPN). Also present at the meeting were representatives of the United Progressive of Nigeria; Action Council Party of Nigeria; APGA; DDC; UDP; AA; DA; GPP; CPP; PPN; ADP; NDLP and PAP. Speaking at the meeting, the KWSIEC boss said the shift in the date was considered because the Commission had promised to conduct “a free and all- inclusive election.”

“After the announcement of the election date, people came to us from various political parties, some sent delegation; it might not be you that are sitting here, but they are from various political parties and the electorate pleading for a shift in the election date. “Th ey are saying some people are on hajj and they would need to participate in the electoral process like party primaries, and since election involves many processes and we have promised to conduct a free and all-inclusive election, we have taken note of the various apprehensions from various political parties. We have given a moratorium of two weeks. Election would, therefore, hold on November 8, 20 17.”

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