New twist as Osun court adjourns suit over controversial LG elections to Jan 17
The Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife has adjourned the ongoing legal battle over the February 22, 2025, local government elections, with a new hearing date set for January 17.
The case pits the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 19 disqualified candidates against the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the State Attorney General.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the plaintiffs’ demand to halt the elections, citing irregularities and their exclusion from the polls. Represented by their counsel, Mr. Muhydeen Adeoye, the plaintiffs are seeking two critical reliefs: the invalidation of OSSIEC’s amended election notice published on July 18, 2024, and the reinstatement of the disqualified candidates if the election proceeds.
Thursday’s court session, presided over by Justice Adedapo Adeniji, saw new twists and proposals for resolution. Counsel for the All Peoples Party, Monruf Adediran, filed a motion to join the suit, aiming to bolster opposition against the elections. However, Mr. Deji Atoyebi, counsel for the State Attorney General, requested additional time to respond to the application.
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Meanwhile, OSSIEC’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Musibau Adetunbi, made a surprising move by suggesting an out-of-court settlement. Adetunbi proposed a compromise: the plaintiffs could withdraw their challenge to the amended election notice and the absence of an Election Petition Tribunal. In return, OSSIEC might reconsider its rejection of the disqualified candidates’ nominations.
Speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs, Adeoye acknowledged the urgency of the matter and agreed to consult his clients about the settlement proposal. “We understand the time-sensitive nature of this issue and will discuss the terms thoroughly before presenting a decision in court,” he said.
This lawsuit has significant implications for the democratic process in Osun State. The plaintiffs argue that the amended election notice excluded them unfairly and violated the integrity of the electoral process. On the other hand, OSSIEC’s willingness to negotiate hints at a possible resolution to avoid further legal entanglements that could delay the polls.
In his ruling, Justice Adeniji struck a neutral tone, giving both sides time to explore their options. He adjourned the case to January 17, 2025, emphasizing that the court remains open to hearing pending applications or receiving a settlement report.
