The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that 14 political parties will participate in the August 8 governorship election in Osun State.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday in Osogbo by the INEC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Olurode.
Notably absent from the list are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), which did not make the final cut.
Olurode explained that only political parties that successfully concluded their primaries and uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates within the commission’s stipulated timeframe were cleared to contest.
According to him, the parties that met the requirements include: Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and All Progressives Congress (APC).
READ ALSO: JUST IN: INEC Fixes Date For 2027 Presidential Election
Others are Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
He added that, in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the approved timetable for the election, INEC has published the personal particulars (Form EC9) of candidates and their running mates.
The documents, including academic credentials and other supporting materials, will be displayed at the INEC State Office, all 30 Local Government Area offices, and the Area Office in Osun for public inspection beginning February 16.
Olurode urged political parties, candidates and members of the public to examine the published documents as provided by law.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: INEC Registers Two New Political Parties
He reiterated that only the 14 parties that complied with constitutional and regulatory requirements within the prescribed period would feature on the ballot.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and the conduct of credible elections in line with democratic standards.