Osun APC Accuses OSSIEC of Frustrating Opposition Ahead of 2025 LG Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) of deliberately hindering opposition parties in the lead-up to the local government elections scheduled for 22 February 2025.

This accusation follows revelations by OSSIEC, led by its chairman, Hashim Abioye, which the APC claims have undermined the chances of its candidates in the forthcoming election.

It was earlier reported that OSSIEC raised concerns over the improper nomination of candidates by three political parties, including the APC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Peoples Party (APP).

According to Abioye, during a presentation of the commission’s verification committee report in Osogbo on Wednesday, most of the 18 political parties that submitted nominations committed one infraction or another.

Specifically, the APC and other affected parties were said to have failed to properly nominate chairmanship candidates in seven local government areas.

In response, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, expressed disappointment with OSSIEC’s handling of the nomination process for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions.

In a statement issued on Friday, Lawal criticised the commission’s decision to impose a 48-hour ultimatum for parties to correct the infractions in nine local government areas, including Atakumosa-West, Ede-South, Egbedore, Ife-Central, Ifedayo, Isokan, Olorunda, and Oriade.

Lawal claimed that despite the party’s efforts to meet the deadline, OSSIEC offices unexpectedly closed early at 2:15 pm on 19 September 2024, preventing the submission of necessary documents.

“All attempts to contact the commission were futile, as no officials were available for the required administrative processes,” the APC stated.

The party further alleged that the irregularities flagged by OSSIEC were a result of the commission’s own administrative failures.

Lawal accused OSSIEC of rushing to the media without conducting a thorough fact-check and criticised the commission for not having a Public Relations Officer to address the concerns of political parties, with Abioye reportedly handling all administrative tasks himself.

Questioning the impartiality of OSSIEC, Lawal stated, “Barrister Abioye is a known member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had previously contested for a PDP seat in the Ifelodun State Constituency in 2023.” He also revealed that the APC had challenged Abioye’s appointment in court, citing a conflict of interest.

Lawal expressed shock at OSSIEC’s decision to close its offices early just a day after issuing the 48-hour ultimatum.

He argued that the conduct of the commission was a deliberate attempt to frustrate APC’s participation in the local government elections.

Additionally, Lawal raised concerns over the delayed release of election guidelines by OSSIEC.

He revealed that repeated requests by the APC for certified copies of the guidelines had been ignored or rejected, further fuelling suspicions of bias.

“In one instance, OSSIEC refused to acknowledge a formal request sent via courier, intensifying our concerns about impartiality,” he added.

The APC chairman warned that the party would resist any attempts to undermine its candidates through all legally permissible means.

“We will employ all constitutionally acceptable measures to ensure that our candidates are not victimised by a compromised electoral body that is failing in its supposed independence,” Lawal declared.

He concluded by stating that the actions of OSSIEC under Abioye’s leadership cast serious doubt on the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in Osun State.