The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has confirmed that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, will proceed as planned, dismissing concerns over potential legal hurdles.
Addressing the public on Saturday, OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye assured residents that the commission had adhered to all legal guidelines in preparing for the polls. He also dismissed attempts by opposition groups to disrupt the process, stating they would not succeed.
Abioye revealed that six legal cases had been filed against the commission in various courts, including appeals related to a Federal High Court judgment in 2022 that nullified previous local government elections conducted under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The 2022 ruling by the Federal High Court in Osogbo invalidated the local government elections and removed all elected officials from office,” he explained. “Although one appeal against the ruling is still awaiting judgment, another appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Akure on January 13, 2025, due to abandonment.”
He emphasized that regardless of the outcome of the pending appeal, the Federal High Court’s judgment remains legally binding. “It’s comparable to having two convictions for the same offense; even if one is overturned, the other remains valid. This demonstrates the solid legal foundation of the current situation,” Abioye noted.
The OSSIEC chairman also clarified that no court order currently prohibits the commission from conducting the elections. “The public should disregard falsehoods circulating on social media. OSSIEC is fully committed to delivering credible, transparent, and legitimate elections,” he assured.
With preparations underway, OSSIEC urged citizens to focus on participating in the democratic process, reinforcing the commission’s resolve to ensure a seamless and lawful election.