By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara says the conduct of the local government election will be determined by an improvement in the state’s economy.
Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, the Chairman of the party in the state, told newsmen in Ilorin on Monday that the state had no funds to conduct the election now.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party’s position was coming on the heels of calls for the release of timetable for the poll.
Balogun-Fulani said the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) and the state House of Assembly, which have the power to the fix date for the poll, had yet to address stakeholders on this.
He condemned those calling for the release of an election timetable, , describing this as ill conceived.
The party chieftain also cautioned those comparing KWASIEC with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying both institutions have different mandates.
“People cannot arm twist the state electoral body to release schedule for the LG poll as INEC has its reason for releasing the 2019 general elections timetable in the first place.
“The state is passing through economic challenges as a result of the current recession and the situation has to improve before the election holds.
“Power and directive lie in the province of the House of Assembly, they will have to tell us when and how.
“Also, election cannot hold when the economy of the state has not improved. I think it is expedient to rather be discussing this when the state’s economy is at least stable,’’ he said.
