Osun Local Government Election Suit Adjourned to January 17 After Disqualification Dispute
The Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife has adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the conduct of the February 22 local government elections in the state to January 17, 2025. The court moved the case forward to allow the hearing of pending applications or a potential settlement report.
The suit was filed by the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 19 of its candidates who were disqualified by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC). The plaintiffs are seeking legal intervention to halt the elections, arguing that irregularities in the process and their exclusion from the polls violated their rights.
Muhideen Adeoye, the counsel representing the claimants, outlined two primary reliefs sought by the plaintiffs. These included the invalidation of the amended election notice published by OSSIEC on July 18, 2024, and the inclusion of the disqualified candidates if the election proceeds as planned.
During the hearing, which was presided over by Justice Adedapo Adeniji, Moruf Adediran, counsel for the All Peoples Party (APP), sought to join the suit. However, the State Attorney General’s counsel, Deji Atoyebi, requested more time to respond to the application.
Meanwhile, Musibau Adetunbi, counsel for OSSIEC, proposed an out-of-court settlement. He suggested that the claimants withdraw their challenge to the amended election notice and the absence of an Election Petition Tribunal, while OSSIEC could reconsider its decision to disqualify the candidates.
Adeoye acknowledged the urgency of the matter and promised to consult his clients regarding the settlement proposal. He indicated that they would present their decision on the matter at the next court date.
In light of the developments, Justice Adeniji adjourned the case to January 17, 2025, for the hearing of the pending applications or a settlement report. The outcome of the case remains pivotal in determining whether the local government elections in Osun will proceed as planned.
