Osun PDP Calls For Arrest Of OSIEC Chairman Over LG Election

The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the arrest of Segun Oladitan, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).

The Osun PDP in statement signed by Oladele Oluwabamiji, Director of Media stated that the reason for it is because going ahead with the local government election in the state is against the provisions of the law.

OSSIEC had in a statement signed by Segun Oladitan, its chairman on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment towards conducting an acceptable local government election.

Also, in a stakeholders' meeting on Friday, Oladitan confirmed that the local government election would hold in October.

He also assured that it will be conducted based on the Presidential System of government as against the Parliamentary system conducted in 2018 and in accordance with the Constitution, as amended by the State House of Assembly.

"While presenting position of the PDP to the Commission on behalf of the State Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle, the Party's Secretary, Otunba Femmy Carrena and secretary of PDP Legal Committee, Barrister Hashim Abioye drew attention of the Commission, not only to the futility of conducting the election, but the grave danger of running foul of the law of the land with inherent consequences.

"According to a letter presented to OSSIEC and explained by the duo of Otunba Femmy Carrena and Barrister Hashim Abioye, the PDP informed Chairman and members of the Commission about pendency of legal suits before the High Court of Osun State and of latest, a suit pending before the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in which the legitimacy of the Commission as presently constituted, the constitutionality and legality of the planned Local Government election, amongst others, are being challenged.

"The PDP also cited the Supreme Court decision in OSSIEC. V. ACTION CONGRESS, where it was stated without any ambiguity that no State electoral law can override the provision of the Electoral Act made by the National Assembly."

The party held that the provision of section 28 of the Electoral Act, 2022, forbade the conduct of any election without a notice given not later than 360 days before the said election. 

"The said Electoral Act also provides mandatory in Section 29 the period within which a list of candidates must be published, which is 180 days.

"It is no brainer that the period within which the outgoing APC administration in Osun State is left with, is clearly far less than the period stipulated in paragraphs 28 & 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

"It will also be fatally wrong for OSSIEC chairman to jettison section 150 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act which makes it compulsory for a state electoral body to follow the provision of the Electoral Act in the procedure regulating elections to the Local Government as sub-paragraph 3 of the said section invalidates any election by a State electoral body in contravention of the procedure stipulated in the Electoral Act.

"To further solidify the PDP's position, the Electoral Act in sub-paragraph 4 of section 150 makes it a criminal offence and any official of the State electoral body in breach of the provision shall be prosecuted and punished accordingly."

The party added that the election would be an exercise in futility which would further plunge the state into financial mess.

The Osun State House of Assembly had passed two laws amending the administration of local government and the law empowering OSIEC to hold local government election.