Ondo makes u-turn, postpones LG polls indefinitely

The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has postponed the local government elections in the state indefinitely.

The commission had earlier insisted that the election scheduled for April 18 will take place amid the coronavirus outbreak.

But addressing journalists on Friday, Yomi Dinakin, ODIEC chairman, said the elections have been postponed indefinitely.

He said the decision was made after the 10 political parties agreed to the postponement because they could not hold any campaign rallies.

The chairman said the parties noted that the state government decision banning political gatherings will hinder successful campaigns.

He said it would also be difficult to control the crowd during the polls, adding that a new date for the election will be announced after the situation improves.

Dinakin expressed optimism that the federal government will amend its policy of having all elected local councils officials by May.

Nigeria has recorded 65 coronavirus cases across eight states and the federal capital territory.

Lagoshas the highest number, 44, while Abuja and Ogun have 11 and three cases respectively.

Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Osun and Rivers all have one coronavirus patient each, while Bauchi has two.

Nigeria’s only casualty from the disease is Suleiman Achimugu, a former managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), who died on Monday.