The Chairmanship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Ikere West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adeniyi Ogunrinde, has called on the Ekiti State Government to ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair election ahead of the December 12, 2026, local government polls.
Ogunrinde urged Governor Biodun Oyebanji to emulate President Bola Tinubu’s conduct during the just-concluded Osun State governorship election by allowing the electorate to freely choose their preferred candidates without interference.
He said the December election should provide an opportunity for the state government to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles by ensuring that every vote cast by the people of Ikere West and other councils across the state counts.
According to him, the outcome of the August 15 Osun governorship election, in which the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, was returned to office, offered an important lesson on the need for political leaders to respect the will of the electorate.
Ogunrinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said President Tinubu deserved commendation for publicly urging the electoral authorities and security agencies to ensure that the Osun election was transparent, free and fair, and for accepting the outcome after the poll. Tinubu also congratulated Adeleke on his victory while praising the peaceful and transparent conduct of the election.
He said, ‘Governor Oyebanji should emulate President Bola Tinubu by allowing the people to freely choose their leaders at the grassroots during the December 12 election. The Osun election has shown that democracy is strengthened when the government does not seek to impose candidates on the people.
‘What we are asking for in Ekiti is very simple: let the people vote for the candidates of their choice during the local government election. Let the votes count and let the candidate who genuinely enjoys the confidence of the people emerge victorious.’
The ADC candidate, while congratulating Oyebanji on his victory in the June 20 governorship election, appealed to the governor to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the local government election.
He stressed that the credibility of the process would enhance public confidence in the state’s democratic institutions.
Ogunrinde further called on the relevant electoral and security authorities to remain neutral, professional and impartial throughout the election, saying no individual or political party should be allowed to undermine the democratic rights of the people.
He expressed confidence in his chances at the poll, considering his antecedents, saying his campaign would continue to focus on the needs of the people of Ikere West and the development of the LCDA rather than intimidation, inducement or political manipulation.
The ADC candidate urged the electorate to come out en masse on December 12 and exercise their franchise peacefully, assuring them that the party would respect the outcome of a genuinely free, fair and credible election.
Ogunrinde noted that a credible local government election would further strengthen the state’s democratic credentials and leave a lasting legacy for the administration.