The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has clarified its plans for the upcoming local government election, stating that the poll will only be held in constitutionally recognized local government council areas.
OSSIEC Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye, made this known to journalists on Friday, debunking reports that the commission was rushing to conduct the election due to the local government autonomy judgment by the Supreme Court.
Abioye explained that the commission was amending the notice of elections and adjusting the timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a smooth and inclusive process.
He emphasized that the February 22, 2025, date for the election remains sacrosanct, despite the amendment, according to Daily Post.
The commission’s decision comes after agitations from stakeholders, including the Osun State Inter-party Advisory Council, which had threatened to boycott the poll.
However, IPAC later backtracked on its threat, stating that the commission was not engaging with its stakeholders.
OSSIEC has assured that it is committed to conducting a free and fair election and has written to IPAC to address its concerns.
The commission’s clarification puts to rest speculations about the election and reinforces its commitment to upholding democratic principles.
“As far as OSSIEC and the February 22, 2025 local government election process is concerned, the news is reckless and baseless.”
According to Abioye, “After the deliberations of the Commission, where the legitimacy of conducting elections into the LCDAs and Administrative Offices was discussed, as such safely resolved to amend the initial notice of elections to the effect that elections shall now be held into only the constitutionally recognised Local Government Council Areas of Osun State, with a caution that 22nd February, 2025 date remains sacrosanct notwithstanding the amendment to the original notice.
“The present amendment dates back to and relates to the original notice, there is no change in the February, 2025 date earlier given for holding the elections.”
