The representatives of political parties participating in the December 29, 2026 Local Government Councils Election in Oyo State have examined their respective party logos on ballot paper specimens ahead of the election.

The representatives converged at the headquarters of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) in Ibadan to verify the accuracy of their party logos on the ballot paper specimens.

The exercise, coordinated by OYSIEC Commissioner, Chief Olukunmi Agboola, who represented the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Afees Adeniyi, provided an opportunity for representatives of the participating parties to cross-check their logos, identify and correct any discrepancies where necessary.

Following the examination, the representatives approved the ballot paper specimens after confirming the accuracy of their respective party logos.

Speaking shortly after confirming his party’s logo, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Oyo State and the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Mr Opeyemi Akinade, commended the leadership of OYSIEC for keeping registered political parties informed about developments concerning the forthcoming local government elections.

Akinade expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s preparations, particularly the introduction of the ballot paper specimen examination and verification exercise, which he described as a commendable initiative by the current leadership of the electoral umpire.

He added that participating political parties were making adequate preparations for the third consecutive local government election under the present administration in Oyo State.

“I am pleased with this initiative. OYSIEC has done well by inviting party chairmen to examine and confirm that their respective party logos are correctly displayed. In fact, I witnessed a situation where a party representative observed that the wrong logo had been used for his party. He presented the correct logo, and OYSIEC officials duly noted the correction,” he said.

Speaking on his party’s preparedness for the election, Akinade declared that the NRM was ready for the exercise. “Let me say that my party is 98 per cent ready for the election,” he added.

…as OYSIEC Leadership visit CP

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during, and after the local government council elections, scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, gave the assurance on Monday while hosting the leadership of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) during a courtesy visit to his office in Eleyele, Ibadan.

CP Olugbenga emphasized that a peaceful environment is essential for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, noting that the command is fully prepared to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the electoral process.

‘I want to assure the Chairman and his entourage the one hundred percent support of the command in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

‘ We have been doing this and we will not stop because there is no way we can assure the voting populace, fair,free and credible elections without peace.

‘ I want to say that this year’s election will not be different from the previous ones. We’ll do it. We’ll collaborate very well. And we are going to show other states that we can do it. I thank you for coming this way.’

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Afees Adeniyi, said the visit was to formally inform the command of the Commission’s intention to conduct a peaceful and intimidation-free election.

Dr. Adeniyi noted that residents of the state often express concerns about their safety on election days, stressing the need for stronger collaboration with the police to ensure a conducive environment before, during, and after the polls.

He called on the command to assist in maintaining law and order across polling units on election day and ensure that no life is lost during the process.

The OYSIEC Chairman commended the police for their support during previous local government elections, urging the command to sustain the cooperation.

“We are here today to engage with your office and to formally notify you that our election is scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026, while also presenting our requests.

“We received tremendous support from this command in 2024, and we remain grateful. We look forward to further support and collaboration as we prepare for the forthcoming election.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has called for continuous collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of electoral processes in the forthcoming Local Government Election across the State.

The OYSIEC Chairman, Dr. Afees Adeniyi, disclosed this during a visit to the INEC Headquarters, Ibadan, to officially notify the leadership of INEC of the new election date and solicit support for the effective conduct of the Local Government elect Electionion.

Adeniyi noted that the law clearly outlines INEC’s supportive role to State electoral commissions, stressing the need for sustained collaboration to achieve the desired outcome in the forthcoming Local Government Election in the State.

He said: “We are here today to engage with your office as a sister electoral body and to formally notify you that our election is scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026, while also presenting our requests.

“We received tremendous support from your office in 2023, and we remain grateful. We look forward to further guidance and advice from the Commission as we prepare for the forthcoming election.”

Adeniyi noted that as part of its preparations, OYSIEC intends to request certain electoral materials, including an updated voter register, and seek INEC’s advice on how to tackle political apathy and other relevant matters.

In his response, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella, pledged to collaborate with OYSIEC to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, and credible Local Government Election.

Professor Tella noted that the role of the state Independent Electoral Commissions remains critical in strengthening democracy at the grassroots, affirming that the success of OYSIEC will greatly contribute to the progress of the State and also promote good governance.

He noted: “It is pertinent to note that candidates of the ruling party in the state usually emerge as the winner in the conduct of local government elections.

“It is time for State Independent Electoral Commissions to take the bull by the horns by conducting proper elections and demonstrating the courage needed to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.”