Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) yesterday announced that it would conduct the local government election on February 22, 2025.
OSIEC Chairman, Mr Hashim Abioye announced this at a press conference addressed to herald the activities and arrangements preparatory towards conducting the local Government elections in Osun state.
According to the OSIEC Chairman, the date was arrived at, after a meeting the commission held with the representatives of political parties and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in its secretariat in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Abioye who reiterated that the commission under his leadership will not falter on the side of due process and law, assured that he would leave no stone unturned in conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
He said: “I have invited you here today to announce to you that the process of elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities, and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State has been kick-started.
“As you all know the core mandate of the commission is to organize, supervise, and conduct local government elections in Osun state, therefore, buoyed by the clear provisions of the Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) and fleshed up by the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the 2022 OSIEC Law, Law of Osun State.
“We have painstakingly studied relevant electoral legislations and judicial precedents, we have also consulted with distinguished legal professionals, experienced technocrats, and key stakeholders, and we are satisfied that there is no legal hurdle whatsoever inhibiting, restraining, prohibiting or clogging the wheel of this commission from commencing the process of the local Government elections in Osun state.
“I am therefore, pleased to inform you that the radar is clear for this commission to conduct elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities, and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State, inshallah Allah, on 22nd day of February, 2025.
The notice and timetable for the elections will soon be released, as the same will be formally published in the dailies and widely circulated.
He further explained that the commission had on Wednesday held a meeting with the Osun State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the leadership of the registered political parties.
While vowing to be prudent, Abioye said: You are aware that in 2022, despite the red signal and the clear warning against the conduct of the local government elections, the commission under the then leadership went down the drain. Such avoidable and senseless wastage which is capable of impoverishing this state will not happen under my leadership, by the grace of God.
“We are guided by the overriding provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and applicable provisions of the 2022 OSIEC Law in drawing the timetable and schedule of activities.”
