APC declines interest in Kwara LG poll

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming council election in Offa, Kwara State, Saheed Popoola, has said his party is not interested in another poll.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission on Tuesday fixed August 31 for the conduct of fresh election in Offa Local Government Area.
This was in compliance with a Kwara State High Court judgment delivered on February 22.
Popoola, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Offa that the party had filed an application before the State High Court calling for the cancellation of the proposed election.
He expressed optimism that the court ruling on the matter would be delivered before the day slated for the election.
Popoola alleged that there were plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state to perpetrate some illegal acts and this informed the party’s recourse to the law court.
The APC candidate, however, said if the court ruling was unfavourable, the party would participate in the poll.
“If we are unable to stop the election, we shall fully take part in the election as campaign is in progress,” he said.
Reacting to Popoola’s allegations that the PDP was planning acts of illegality, the party’s Secretary in the state, Yemi Afolayan, said the electoral commission was an independent body that could not be influenced.
Afolayan said the commission was a credible institution headed by a respected don, adding that a level playing ground had been created for all the parties.
Afolayan urged all the parties participating in the poll to have faith in the transparency of the electoral process and work toward a successful exercise.