Off-cycle elections in Nigeria stemmed from judicial rulings that ousted incumbent governors, paving the way for opposition parties to assume power.
This is a result of electoral disputes often witnessed in the Nigerian political scene owing to irregularities such as electoral violence, ballot snatching, and rigging, amongst others, and these disputes are settled through tribunals and appeals at the appropriate courts.
The history of off-cycle governorship elections in Ondo and Edo states exemplifies this pattern.
Notably, the Action Congress of Nigeria leveraged these legal victories, particularly in Edo in 2007, to bolster its influence in the South-West region. These successes laid the groundwork for its eventual merger into the ruling All Progressives Congress, shaping the political landscape significantly.
Ondo State’s Off-Cycle Election History
Olusegun Agagu’s tenure as the Governor of Ondo State was marked by significant political events, including the circumstances surrounding his exit and his contributions during his time in office.
Agagu governed Ondo State from May 29, 2003, until February 23, 2009. He won the 2003 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, defeating the incumbent Governor Adebayo Adefarati from the Alliance for Democracy.
Despite being re-elected in the 2007 governorship election, the outcome was contested in court. The court nullified his re-election due to electoral irregularities, citing non-compliance with electoral laws and standards required for a free and fair election.
As a result of the court’s ruling, Agagu’s rival from the same party, Olusegun Mimiko, was declared the rightful winner of the 2007 election. This legal intervention in 2009 led to a change in the election cycle, with Olusegun Mimiko being sworn in as the new governor.
Edo State’s Off-Cycle Election History
Similar to Ondo, Edo State’s off-cycle elections are a consequence of judicial interventions that have altered the tenure of past governors, necessitating elections at different intervals from the general elections.
Professor Oserheimen Osunbor’s time as the Governor of Edo State was cut short due to a significant legal challenge.
Osunbor, elected governor in April 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, served from May 29, 2007, until November 11, 2008.
The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal invalidated Osunbor’s election on March 20, 2008, due to irregularities. Subsequently, a federal Appeal Court in Benin City, Edo State, upheld the tribunal’s ruling on November 11, 2008, declaring Adams Oshiomhole of the defunct Action Congress party the winner and ending Osunbor’s tenure.
The nullification of Osunbor’s election and the declaration of Oshiomhole as governor reshaped the political landscape of Edo State, resulting in off-cycle governorship elections separate from the general elections.
The next governorship election in Edo State is scheduled for September 21, 2024, while in Ondo State, it is set for November 16, 2024.
These off-cycle elections highlight the dynamic nature of Nigeria’s electoral system and the significant role that judicial processes play in shaping the democratic landscape.
The cases of Ondo and Edo states serve as examples of how legal rulings can influence electoral schedules and governance continuity in the country.
