The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, announced that the commission is not required to consult political parties or candidates prior to determining election dates.
Osibodu made this statement on Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. His remarks come in response to a lawsuit (number AB/577/2024) filed by 16 political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, African Democratic Party (ADP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), challenging OGSIEC’s imposition of administrative charges and the election timetable it released.
He emphasized that a recent High Court ruling in Abeokuta affirmed OGSIEC’s authority to set election dates and conduct local government elections in the state. “The judgment delivered by Justice Tajudeen Ogunsokan reinforces the Commission’s mandate to ensure free, fair, credible, and transparent elections across the 236 wards in the state,” Osibodu stated.
The Chairman reiterated OGSIEC’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field for all political parties. He pointed out that the ruling not only supports the commission’s procedures but also underscores its duty to adhere to the election timetable.
Osibodu assured that OGSIEC is fully prepared for the upcoming elections and remains open to constructive dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders, while adhering to the legal framework governing its operations.
