Politics

Osun LG Polls: PDP Wins All Chairmanship, Councillorship Seats

By Web News 400

By Mojisola Oladele

The Chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Mr Hasim Abioye has declared candidates of People’s Democratic Party, PDP winners in the Saturday local government elections in the State.

Mr. Abioye stated this while announcing the results of the election to newsmen in Osogbo.

He said that the election was conducted in compliance with constitutional provisions, extant laws and guidelines to fill the vacant seats of the three hundred and thirty two councillors and the thirty local government Chairmen.

The OSSIEC boss appreciated voters for trooping out en masse to participate in the election.

He also lauded the Inter – Party Advisory Council, IPAC, members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria, Civil Society Groups, Independent Observers and the media community for their various roles during the exercise.

Politics

OSSIEC on Standby for Osun Election

By Web News 424

By Funmi Ojo

The Chairman, of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Mr Hashim Abioye has unveiled election materials for the Osun State Local Government election slated for Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Mr  Abioye while addressing stakeholders at the Commission office, said he is fully ready for the election where 18 political parties have signified their readiness to participate except if there is contrary information during the week.

The OSSIEC Chairman unveiled the voting materials which include, a double-edge cubicle, Ballot Box and Ballot Papers.

He explained that the cubicle to be used is a departure from the past as the present cubicle accommodates two voters to exercise their voting rights at a time, the ballot box also displayed, is portable and transparent.

Mr  Abioye added that the ballot papers came with secret security features with a scan code attached to a particular Poling Unit that cannot be used in another Polling Booths.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Pastor Victor Akande commended the OSSIEC Chairman for a job well done including the new face of the Conference Hall that is now befitting unlike what it used to be.

On behalf of the political parties present he gave a vote of confidence in OSSIEC on the forthcoming election, commending the OSSIEC Chairman for his transparency and solid preparations.

Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN applauded the preparation of OSSIEC, however, appealed for maximum security for the election to protect lives and properties, especially the youths.

Contributing, the Acting State Director of, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Adefarsin Adebiyi urged political parties to enlighten their members and promote peace urging any aggrieved party to approach the court for redress if they have issues.

Mr  Adebiyi advised the state government to declare work-free days before the election, to allow every worker to participate in the exercise.

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Politics

Preparations for scheduled LG polls on course – OSSIEC

By Web News 369

By Mojisola Oladele 

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has assured the residents of the state that preparations for the scheduled Local Government elections were still on course. 

OSSIEC  boss, Mr Hassim Abioye gave the assurance during a news conference in Osogbo, in reaction to the Court of Appeal judgement reinstating the Local Government officials sacked by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

He urged all political parties to continue their campaigns peacefully and encouraged residents of the state to remain calm. 

‘’Remain calm and all political parties to go about their peaceful campaigns as we count down to 22nd February 2025.’’

He stressed that the appellate court ruled that the suit was filed before the issuance of the Notice of Election by OSSIEC. 

Mr. Abioye further noted that the PDP had amended its originating summons to reflect new developments while the case was ongoing. 

“However, the Federal High Court delivered judgement on 25th November 2022, nullifying the election and sacking the officials elected under the process.

“Following the judgment, candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) affected by the ruling, alongside their party, appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal, in its judgment on Monday, struck out the case, describing it as speculative.” He added 

He stressed that all 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State remain without elected officials, as the court rulings have upheld the nullification of the 2022 elections. 

“In specific terms, the decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal stand against the APC and its candidates,” he said.

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Politics

OSSIEC Boss Calls for Collaboration for Credible Election

By Web News 369

By Funmi Ojo

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, is committed to ensuring that the upcoming Local Government elections scheduled for February 22 are conducted in a credible, free, and fair manner.

The Chairman of OSSIEC, Mr Hashim Abioye stated this at an interaction session with the Osun Chapter, League of Veteran Journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretariat in Osogbo.

Mr Abioye addressed concerns about ongoing litigations related to the electoral process, stating that while there are pending court cases, they do not hinder the commission’s preparations for the elections.

He emphasized the importance of starting from a solid foundation with the proper issuance of the notice of election, cautioning that any errors at the preliminary stage could undermine the entire process.

Despite the existence of legal challenges, the OSSIEC Chairman clarified that no political candidates have been disqualified, as rumoured since all participating parties have successfully conducted their primaries.

He also mentioned that the post-election tribunal is being established by the state’s Chief Judge and reassured that the development would not interfere with the electoral timeline.

Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility, Mr Abioye stressed that every stakeholder involved must work together to ensure the elections’ success.

To this end, he said guidelines and manuals have been provided to political parties, and consultations with legal professionals have been conducted to maintain adherence to legal and constitutional standards.

He called on political parties and stakeholders to collaborate with the commission in fulfilling its mandate to facilitate a credible election.

In a remark, the acting Chairman of the League of Veteran Journalists in Osun, Mr Adeyeye Oyedokun, praised OSSIEC for its transparency and commitment to conducting a successful election.

He also assured that the media would continue to support democratic processes by fulfilling its crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability.

Also Speaking, a retired Director of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Emmanuel Agboola, emphasized the critical nature of election matters, which require comprehensive legal frameworks and open-door policies to ensure credibility and prevent violence.

Mr Agboola expressed hope that the success of the February 22 Local Government elections would serve as a model for other states

He urged OSSIEC to ensure an equitable electoral process by providing all political parties with a level playing field.

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Politics

OSSIEC Sets Stage for LG Poll

By Web News 333

By Mojisola Oladele

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has assured stakeholders of its readiness to conduct the forthcoming local government election in the state.

The OSSIEC Chairman, Mr. Hasim Abioye gave the assurance in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo.

Mr. Abioye who debunked speculations that the election would not hold, assured that efforts were on top gear to conduct the exercise scheduled for 22nd February, 2025.

He emphasized that the commission would adhere strictly to its timeline and schedule of activities.

“The amended notice and adjusted timetable issued by the commission is a complete package and enough for any serious-minded political party to prepare for the elections,”.

The OSSIEC chairman added that the commission had consistently carried out activities within the framework of the issued guidelines.

“We even appointed special duties EOs and AEOs for efficiency and effectiveness, noting that retreats, seminars, and training sessions had been organised for all staff involved in the process.” Osun OSSIEC Chairman added

Politics

OSSIEC Goes Ahead with Council Poll

By Web News 739

Amidst controversy and abstinence of major opposition Political parties, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC is going on with the conduct of the Local Government Election slated for Saturday.

Already, the state government has declared Friday, a work-free day to enable people to travel to their various polling locations.

The Government similarly imposed restrictions on vehicular movement between seven o’clock in the morning and three o’clock in the evening across the state tomorrow.

In a statement in Osogbo, the State Commissioner for information, Mrs Funke Egbemode said the development was to ensure a hitch-free election.

Shortly after the conduct of the state Governorship Election on July 16th, the State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC announced a timetable for the conduct of the election.

This announcement was received with stiff opposition from the People’s Democratic Party which contended that it was illegal and a waste of resources for the state government to organise a local government election after the ruling party had lost the governorship election.

The PDP public relations Officer, Mr Oladele Bamiji who told Radio Nigeria in an interview that the party would boycott the process, said OSSIEC’s insistence on conducting the election was an attempt by the ruling APC to perpetuate itself in office after it had lost the governorship election.

However, the ruling APC maintained that it would field candidates for the election, saying that the state electoral commission was on a clear page of Law to conduct the local council poll.

Speaking on Tuesday at the party’s Secretariat in Osogbo during a ceremony to flag-off campaign ahead of the election, the Chairman of the APC in Osun State, Prince Gboyega Famoodun said the Osun State Electoral Commission had obeyed all the laws guiding the conduct of such election.

Immediately after OSSIEC’s announcement of the election timetable in July, a Human Rights activist, Mr Kanmi Ajibola approached a Federal High Court, asking the court to declare the proposed election as illegal, null and void.

Mr Ajibola’s contention was the fact that the state government and its Electoral body offended the provision of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, which provides that a 365-day notice must be given to all parties before any election could hold.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the legal practitioner submitted that since the matter was already in court, it was an offence for the state Electoral body to insist on the conduct of tomorrow’s local government election in Osun State.

However, the Chairman of OSSIEC Prince Segun Oladitan said the exercise would go on as there is no judgment stopping the conduct of the election.

Promising to conduct a free and fair election, Prince Oladitan said of all political parties that collected the forms, only one has returned forms for the election.

Adenitan Akinola

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Politics

Everyone would be able to cast their votes freely – OSSIEC Chairman

By Web News 466

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, wants electoral officers to be transparent in their dealings.

OSSIEC Chairman, Mr Segun Oladuntan gave the advice during the opening ceremony of the training workshop for electoral and assistant electoral officers in preparation for the local government election in the State.

Mr Oladuntan said the Commission was ready to provide all the needed logistics, materials and equipment to facilitate the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

While reiterating that the 2022 Local Government Election in Osun State would be based on the Presidential System of Government as against the parliamentary system held in the last election, Mr Oladuntan maintained that all registered voters in the state would freely cast their votes for candidates of their choice come 15th October 2022.

Folake Oye

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