The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission has sought a partnership with critical stakeholders to ensure greater resident participation in the forthcoming local government council election.

The chairman of the commission, Babatunde Adeniyi, made the appeal while hosting new executives of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, the Oyo state chapter, at the OYSIEC Headquarters in Ibadan on Thursday.

Mr Adeniyi described political parties as critical stakeholders in a democratic setting, urging them to continue to accord the commission the support and cooperation they had demonstrated in the past.

The new IPAC chairman in Oyo, Kabiru Akinade, stated that the visit was to formally introduce the newly elected IPAC executives to the commission and strengthen collaboration with the leadership of OYSIEC ahead of future electoral activities.

The IPAC chairman said that the forthcoming local government council election in the state would provide an opportunity for political parties to test their strengths and weaknesses as the 2027 general elections approach.

Mr Akinade commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s government for supporting the conduct of local government council elections since 2021.

He urged political parties to mobilise their members and supporters to participate actively in the forthcoming election.

The chairman further assured that IPAC would work with all political parties to ensure a peaceful, credible, and successful local government poll across Oyo.

(NAN)