Toba Owojaiye reporting
Osun, Nigeria
In a decisive ruling today, the High Court in Ilesa, Osun State, has ordered the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct local government elections as scheduled on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Presiding Justice A. Aderibigbe emphasized the necessity of filling existing vacancies across all 30 Local Government Areas through a democratic process.
Truth Live News gathered that this judicial directive comes in the wake of previous legal challenges that nullified the October 15, 2022, local government elections. The Federal High Court, in case FHC/CS/OS/103/2022, declared the earlier elections invalid, a decision subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/AK/226M/2024 on January 13, 2025.
Despite calls from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the elections due to legal concerns, the Osun State government has sought clarity on the matter, expressing its commitment to proceed as planned. OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness, stating there are no legal impediments to conducting the elections.
Notably, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has withdrawn from the election, citing security concerns. In contrast, OSSIEC has confirmed that 18 political parties have registered to participate in the polls.
To ensure a peaceful electoral process, the court has mandated the involvement of various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante groups.
As Osun State stands on the cusp of this significant democratic exercise, all eyes are on the electoral process set to unfold tomorrow.