OSIEC to conduct LG elections 2025

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Osun State Electoral Commission, (OSIEC) has announced that local government elections in the state will hold on February 22, 2025.

OSIEC Chairman, Barrister Hassim Abioye made this known on Thursday, in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

Speaking on the activities and arrangements preparatory towards conducting the elections in the state, Abioye said the date was arrived at, after a meeting with the commission held with the representatives of political parties and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

His words: “I have invited you here today to announce to you that the process of elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State has been kick-started.

“As you all know that the core mandate of the commission is to organize, supervise and conduct local government elections in Osun state, therefore, buoyed by the clear provisions of the Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) and fleshed up by the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the 2022 OSSIEC Law, Law of Osun State.

“We have painstakingly studied relevant electoral legislations and judicial precedents, we have also consulted with distinguished legal professionals, experienced technocrats and key stakeholders, and we are satisfied that there is no legal hurdle whatsoever inhibiting, restraining, prohibiting or clogging the wheel of this commission from commencing the process of the local Government elections in Osun state.

“I am therefore, pleased to inform you that the radar is clear for this commission to conduct elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State, on 22nd day of February, 2025.

“The notice and timetable for the elections will soon be released, as same will be formally published in the dailies and widely circulated.”

While vowing to be prudent, Abioye said:  “You are aware that in 2022, despite the red signal and the clear warning against the conduct of the local government elections, the commission under the then leadership went down the drain. Such avoidable and senseless wastage which is capable of impoverishing  this state will not happen under my leadership, by the grace of God.

“We are guided by the overriding provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and  applicable provisions of the 2022 OSSIEC Law in drawing the timetable and schedule of activities. The regulations in line with global best practices for the elections will also be unveiled soon”, he concluded