Court sacks new LG chairmen, councillors

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, on Friday sacked all the new local government chairmen and councillors in the state.

Justice Nathaniel Emmanuel-Ayoola held that the election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), was in contravention of sections 29 & 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The plaintiff, the Peoples Democratic Party, claimed that the notice of election published on August 15, 2022, was in contravention of the law and prayed the court to declare the exercise unconstitutional, null and void.

The court held that notice of election is fundamental, and Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act says any election conducted in violation of the provisions of the law shall be invalid.

• Tribunal mandates INEC to present Adeleke’s certificate
• Tribunal mandates INEC to present Adeleke’s certificate

Justice Ayoola stated that the notice of election was published on August 15, 2022, and the election was held on October 15, making 60 days’ notice, saying that was in contravention to the law and the election was thereby declared unconstitutional, invalid, null and void.”

The spokesman of the state’s All Progressives Congress, Kola Olabisi, said the party would appeal the judgement and advised its members to remain calm.