Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, popularly known as OBA, has criticised the continued postponement of local government elections in Ondo State, warning that it threatens grassroots democracy and weakens public participation in governance.
In a statement issued through his media adviser, Oyeniyi Iwakun, the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate accused the administration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa of deliberately delaying the elections through the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission.
Akingboye described the repeated postponements as a direct attack on democratic rights, arguing that the failure to conduct local government elections disenfranchises citizens and concentrates power at the state level.
According to him, the absence of elected local government officials could encourage poor accountability, misuse of resources and slow grassroots development across Ondo State.
He further stated that the situation undermines constitutional principles, increases political tension, discourages citizen participation in local politics and damages the democratic image of the state.
The SDP candidate challenged Governor Aiyedatiwa to organise free and fair council elections if the ruling All Progressives Congress truly enjoys support at the grassroots level.
Akingboye also claimed that the postponements suggest fear of losing political control, insisting that the people of Ondo State deserve leaders who respect democratic values and allow citizens to freely choose their representatives.
He maintained that the forthcoming governorship election would serve as a judgment on the APC’s leadership in the state and predicted that voters would reject the ruling party at the polls.
