Osun LG polls: OSSIEC confirms elections in constitutionally recognised councils
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has announced that the forthcoming local government election will only be held in constitutionally recognized local government council areas.
The Commission has also adjusted the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.
OSSIEC Chairman, Barr. Hashim Abioye, revealed this on Friday after the Commission’s deliberations on the legitimacy of conducting elections in Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and Administrative Offices.
Abioye affirmed that the election date of February 22, 2025, remains unchanged despite the amendments to the original notice.
He noted that the Commission has considered the concerns of various stakeholders, including the Osun State Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), and has decided to adjust the timetable to allow more time for political parties to conduct their primaries, ensuring more inclusive participation in the polls.
The OSSIEC chairman added that he has informed the leadership of IPAC about these changes.
He also refuted rumors that Osun is rushing to conduct the local government election due to the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, emphasizing that OSSIEC had published the election notice on February 19, 2024.
Abioye described the rumors as reckless and baseless, reaffirming the integrity of the Osun State local government electoral process under the current OSSIEC.
