*Directs Security Agencies to Ensure Peaceful LG Elections on February 22
An Osun State High Court has mandated the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to proceed with local government elections slated for Saturday, February 22, 2025, following a landmark ruling that declared all 30 council seats vacant due to previous electoral irregularities.
Justice A. Aderigbigbe, presiding over the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against OSIEC and its Chairman, Hashim Abioye, affirmed that vacancies exist across the state’s local governments. The judgment hinges on earlier rulings by the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, which invalidated the October 15, 2022, LG polls conducted by OSIEC.
In FHC/CS/OS/103/2022 (Action Peoples Party v. INEC & Ors), delivered on November 30, 2022, the Federal High Court nullified the election, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal in CA/AK/226M/2024 (Allied People Movement v. Action Peoples Party & Ors) on January 13, 2025. The appellate court confirmed that the purported officials elected in 2022 were unlawfully inaugurated, leaving the councils without legitimate leadership.
Justice Aderigbigbe emphasized, “The tenure of the sacked officials has expired, and OSIEC is legally obligated to conduct fresh elections to fill these vacancies.”
In a sweeping directive, the court compelled all security agencies—including the Nigeria Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Amotekun Corps, and vigilante groups—to deploy personnel to ensure a peaceful electoral process. The order aims to prevent violence and malpractice during the polls, which have historically been marred by disputes in the state.
