Court Sacks Osun LG Chairmen, Councilors, Says Their Election Not In Consonance With Electoral Law

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has nullified the Local council poll conducted by Osun State Local Government Election Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

The election, which was conducted by the state electoral body (OSIEC) on the 15th October, 2022 was declared null and void by Justice Ayo-Nathani Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo for not  being in consonance with Electoral Act of 2022.

In his ruling, Hon. Justice Emmanuel  declared Local Government Election that was conducted by OSIEC on 15th Day of October, 2022 as illegal, null and void.

The Court ordered the winners of the voided exercise to vacate offices with immediate Effect.

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) had approached the court asking it to stop OSIEC from going ahead with the planned polls.

Other respondents in the matter include INEC, APC and its then chairman, Adeboyega Famoodun.

Reacting to the court judgement, PDP in Osun state said the party is vindicated by its activism against the illegality of outgoing Oyetola administration.

The State Caretaker Chairman of the  Party, Dr Akindele Adekunle lamented that about N1.5 billion was wasted by the Oyetola’s administration for the conduct of the election in addition to several millions of naira illegally paid as salaries and allowances to fake council chiefs.

“We had warned against holding of that fake selection they called election. We had cited all relevant legal authorities to convince OSIEC to back out of the undemocratic scheme.

“The Commission Chairman who himself is a lawyer decided to act against clear provisions of the law to supervise this crudely executed lawlessness.

“This judgement is an affirmation of the correctness of many alerts we had issued in recent times. The outgoing Governor had deliberately committed a lot of infractions and lawlessness.

“We will deploy all legal means to correct the anomalies in compliance with public service rules, extant laws and the constitution of the republic”, the party leader stated.

While congratulating PDP members and people of Osun state, the party Chairman pledged that the party and its Governor-elect will right all the wrongs, protect the public service, observe due process, deliver on local government autonomy and be responsive to citizens’ aspirations.