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The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has said the local government election scheduled for February 22 this year will be conducted as planned.
According to the commission, no litigation threatens the conduct of the poll, and it has been following the dictates of law for the exercise.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, said every attempt by a certain political party to frustrate the conduct of the election will fail.
Abioye said the election process is progressing without disruption despite the legal challenges.
He explained that six cases had been filed against the commission across various courts, including two appeals.
The OSSIEC chairman disclosed that the two appeals relate to a November 2022 verdict by the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which nullified the 2022 local government elections and sacked the elected officials, all members of the APC.
Abioye explained that while one appeal was still pending judgment, the Court of Appeal in Akure dismissed the second on January 13, 2025 due to abandonment.
He clarified that the dismissal validated the Federal High Court’s earlier decision nullifying the election and removing the APC council officials.
“We must clarify that regardless of the pending appeal’s outcome, the Federal High Court’s judgment nullifying the 2022 elections remains valid and subsisting. It’s akin to someone with two convictions for the same crime; the other still stands even if one is overturned on appeal. This demonstrates the firm legal foundation of the current situation,” the OSSIEC chairman said.
“Up till now, there is no court order against the conduct of the elections. The public should disregard the falsehoods spread on social media and remain focused. OSSIEC is committed to conducting seamless, legitimate, and credible elections,” he assured.
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