BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The People’s Democratic Party in Osun State on Monday disclosed that it has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Osogbo against the alleged plan by the Osun Independent Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state.
There has been speculation among the state government officials that OSIEC had slated October 29 as the date for the poll.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued and signed by the party’s Director of Media, Oladele Oluwabamiji, the PDP warned the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola and the election commission against going ahead with the planned local government election saying it was unlawful, illegal and criminal.
“We want to advert the minds of Governor Oyetola and the State Electoral Body to a pending suit before the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in FHC/OS/CS/94/2022, by which the People’s Democratic Party is challenging OSIEC on the planned illegal local government election, while at the same time praying the court to restrain INEC from releasing voters register to OSIEC for reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 with respect to giving notice of elections, nomination of candidates, publication of names.
“The public is invited to note the act of illegality and criminality being embarked upon by the outgoing Governor and his OSIEC, a body which till date has no legal backing for its existence.
“Despite being constituted close to two years ago with huge resources expended on the commission chairman, the secretary and staff, the commission has failed to conduct any Local Government election since then, until now when the Oyetola-led APC Administration in Osun State has been voted out of power.
“We affirm that under the Electoral Act 2022, notice of any election must be given not later than 360 days before the election, and nomination of candidates for the election must not be later than 180 days before the election, while publication of names shall be a period not later than 150 days before the election.
“It is to be noted that by virtue of second schedule paragraphs 11 and 12 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, no State electoral law can have precedence over the Electoral Act.
“More so, the Electoral Act 2022 has made it clear that every State Electoral Commission must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in conducting Local Government elections.
“Referencing section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the party warn OSIEC that apart from the purported election running the risk of being rendered void absolutely, it is a criminal offence for any member or staff of any State electoral body who conspires or indulges in holding an election contrary to the Electoral Act, 2022.
“We are therefore alerting members of the public to rise against another wastage and conduit pipe through which the resources of Osun people are being siphoned. No product of illegality will be allowed to stand by the incoming Adeleke administration,” the statement read.
Reacting, the OSIEC Chairman, Segun Oladitan described as baseless and unfounded the rumours making the rounds that the council poll has been slated for October 29, 2022, saying that no date had been announced by the commission.
According to a statement he signed and issued on Monday, Oladitan said the commission is only empowered to announce the election date and that any date coming from any other source aside OSIEC should be disregarded by the public.
Oladitan stated that, “at the appropriate time, the commission would come out with the election guidelines to put a stop to the unnecessary rumours being peddled around.”
He expressed the commitment of OSIEC to conduct a credible and acceptable LG election in the state at the appropriate time.
