>
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has suspended the primaries slated for Tuesday January 24 for all aspirants into the chairmanship and councilorship positions in the 33 local governments and 35 Local Council Development Area (LCDAs).
A reliable source at the state secretariat of the party told Newspeakonline that the party suspended the primaries in view of a federal court order restraining the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) from conducting the election pending a case before it.
The electoral commission had slated the exercise for February 11, 2017.
The APC source said a new date for the primaries would be announced as soon as the stage is set for the exercise.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi is expected to meet all aspirants who have obtained form for the various positions at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, State Secretariat on Wednesday.
Stakeholders said the governor would discuss the challenges surrounding the primaries and possible solutions for the APC with all aspirants.
Meanwhile, OYSIEC said on Monday that it was yet to be served a copy of the court order.
The commission’s media officer, Mr. Cosmos Oni, said that OYSIEC cannot act or react to the reported interlocutory injunction stopping the conduct of elections in the 33 local governments and the newly created 35 LCDAs in the state.
Oni stressed that the commission did not have the court process, adding that there was also no substituted service.
Oni said the commission would not act on media reports.
He reiterated that OYSIEC would continue with its preparedness and activities towards conducting a free and fair election, noting that the commission upon receiving the court order, would consult its legal advisers.
He urged citizens in the state not to despair on the conduct of the election, saying that the rule of law and the provisions of the constitution will guide the commission in its activities.