UPDATE: Court sacks newly elected Osun LG chairmen, councillors

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Justice Nathaniel Emmanuel Ayoola of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has sacked all the chairmen and councillors elected into the local governments across the state.

The court held that the election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), was in contravention of Section 29 & 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

It would be recalled that OSIEC on Saturday October 15, 2022 conducted election into the 69 Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils and Area Offices in the State.

Justice Ayoola, while ruling on the matter on Friday declared the election as Illegal, null and void.

The court also ordered all the chairmen and councillors elected into the local governments across the state through the process to vacate offices with immediate effect.

“OSIEC law is inconsistent with sections 29 & 32 of the 2022 Electoral Act that provides 180 days’ notice.

“Notice of election is fundamental. Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act says any election conducted in violation of the provision of the law shall be invalid. I hold the view that the plaintiff has made a good case. The case is held in favour of the plaintiff and against the respondents.

“The election held on 15 October 2022 is hereby declared unconstitutional, invalid, null and void. All persons or individuals occupying that offices are sacked,” the judge ruled

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a suit against the conduct of the local government election before the Federal High Court challenging Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), All Progressives Congress(APC) and its chairman, Gboyega Famodun.