The senator representing Ogun West, Olamilekan “Yayi” Adeola, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of interfering with the state’s local government primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Adeola alleged that the governor handpicked candidates for the 20 chairmanship and 236 ward councillorship seats based on their loyalty to him rather than their competence or popular support, without any primaries conducted ahead of the November 16 polls.

The Senate had, during plenary on Thursday in Abuja, condemned the recent LG polls conducted in some states and the withholding of allocations from councils where “sham” elections were conducted, describing them as a rape of democracy.

The Senate reached the resolution after a motion sponsored by Senate minority leader Abba Moro, representing Benue South for the Peoples Democratic Party, and co-sponsored by Titus Zam of Benue North West (APC), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East), and Tony Nwoye of the Labour Party in Anambra North, calling for the cancellation of the October 5, 2024 LG polls in Benue State.

Expressing his concerns during the discussion, Mr Adeola said the “undemocratic practices” in Benue State were similar to Ogun State’s, alleging that Mr Abiodun’s anointed candidates are all ruling party members.

Mr Adeola, who stressed the importance of transparency and fairness during elections, said, “This imposition of candidates and deliberate sidelining of legitimate party members is not only undemocratic but also dangerous for the future of local governance.”

Noting that not granting LGAs full autonomy will negatively impact grassroots governance and accountability, especially in Ogun State, Mr Adeola warned, “If we continue to allow state governments to hijack the local government electoral process, we are undermining democracy itself. Local governments must be allowed to function independently, free from the political manoeuvrings of state governors.”

Peoples Gazette’s attempts to seek comments from Mr Abiodun and the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, were unproductive as they did not respond to calls and messages.