Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, has emphasized that the Commission holds full autonomy in setting election dates without the obligation to consult political parties or candidates.
Speaking at the Commission’s headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, on Friday, Osibodu highlighted a recent court ruling that affirmed OGSIEC’s authority.
This follows a suit, numbered AB/577/2024, in which 16 political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and African Democratic Congress, among others, challenged the administrative charges and election timetable imposed by OGSIEC.
According to Osibodu, the judgement by Justice Tajudeen Ogunsokan of the Abeokuta High Court reinforces OGSIEC’s legal mandate to schedule and conduct Local Government Elections across Ogun State’s 236 wards.
“The judgement reinforces the Commission’s mandate to ensure free, fair, credible, and transparent elections,” he stated.
The OGSIEC Chairman also reiterated the Commission’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field for all political parties, stressing that “the ruling not only supports our procedures but underscores our responsibility to adhere to the election timetable.”
Osibodu assured the public of OGSIEC’s readiness for the upcoming elections and expressed openness to constructive dialogue with stakeholders, while adhering strictly to the legal framework governing its operations.
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