Posted by By Lanre Babalola on
More than 12 political parties in Lagos state have declared their intention to participate in Saturday's local government election in the state.
More than 12 political parties in Lagos state have declared their intention to participate in Saturday's local government election in the state.
Addressing journalists this afternoon, in Lagos, leaders of the political parties, including Action Alliance (AA), Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), National Action Council (NAC), Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Justice Party (JP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Africa Renaissance Party (ARP), Alliance For Democracy (AD) and United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP), said they are fully prepared for the polls.
Spokesperson for the group, Oloye Gboyega Adeniyi, Chairman, National Action Council (NAC), described the decision by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to boycott the elections as an act of cowardice.
'We urge Lagosians to stand firm and vote for the parties of their choice. We want to assure Lagosians that we shall go on with this election so that the cause of a brighter and more fulfilled democracy will be served,' Oloye Adeniyi stated.
The parties accused the PDP of doing everything in its power to stop the election from holding, adding that their last resort was the court action, which was dismissed, last week.
'Forced to eat the humble pie, and still looking forward to another case at the Federal High Court, the PDP pretended to be interested in electioneering. Its candidates began to campaign and everyone thought the party would test its popularity with the people.
'But its real hope for election was the case it filed at the Federal High Court. Unfortunately, it has realised that its hope may be a mirage. This seems to explain the real reason why the PDP chose the path of cowardice, ingratitude and anarchy by boycotting the vote. If indeed the PDP believes in the rule of law, it will not seek to replace the rule of law with the rule of blackmail and duplicity,' Oloye Adeniyi submitted further.
The opposition coalition parties thanked governor Babatunde Fashola for giving them the opportunity to participate in the election.