Osun: “We are prepared for any challenges, LG election will hold as scheduled – OSSIEC boss

_…as commission holds Refresher Course for its members

In preparation ahead of the Local Government election in Osun State, the electoral umpire, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, (OSSIEC), has embark on a refresher cause for its members.

The refresher course which was organized by Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre (JDPMC), funded by European Union was held at Reginal Suit, Osogbo on Thursday.

While speaking, Chairman of the commission, Barrister Hashim Abioye, assured electorates in the state of credible poll, noting that the commission under his watch will not bend rules to favor any political party come February 22, 2025.

It should be recalled that nineteen candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other political parties were disqualified from participating in the election

When asked if all registered political parties are still committed to participating in the election, Abioye said even though some political parties are in court challenging the non inclusion of their candidates for reasons the commission has already advanced in the past, political parties are still committed to the forthcoming election.

According to Abioye “You know we addressed the press when the verification committee concluded their exercise, the report of the verification committee is what we acted upon and upon our action we could not bend the rules for any political party.

“If you have not followed the rules we can not help it and that is what some of the political parties are battling with now.

“The issue is not about all, it is about some people not having the opportunity of participating in the election as candidates because of the factors that affect them, so it is the generality of the process and is not about all the political parties.

He disclosed that contrary to reports that some political parties have pulled out of the upcoming election, the commission have the commitment of all the political parties participating in the election.

Speaking on the commission facing litigations ahead of the election, Abioye said “we have been facing legal challenges, litigation is part of the electoral process and as we have it now, I cannot say that we can’t have another one tomorrow, we are having it already, infact, today we were in court, last week we were in court, so that is not a problem at all, as they come; we tackle them.

OSSIEC boss also dismissed the possibility of the election not holding as planned saying “there is nothing as at today that will stop the election process and I don’t think there could be anything that will stop the election process.”