Osun IPAC Chairman Warns Political Parties Against Complying with OSIEC Directive

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Osun State, Wale Adebayo, has cautioned political parties in the state to disregard a recent directive from the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) requesting party details.

In a statement released by the council’s Secretary, Tosin Odeyemi, on Wednesday in Osogbo, Adebayo criticized the directives issued by OSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, on Tuesday.

The directive had instructed political parties to provide the commission with their details.

Adebayo emphasized that the OSIEC chairman should have followed proper procedures and engaged in a stakeholders’ meeting with political parties before making such requests.

He stated, “The Chairman has not called for a meeting to familiarize himself with chieftains and stakeholders of each political party.

OSIEC has no jurisdiction to ask for particulars of political parties. There should be a stakeholders meeting between the Chairman and political parties.”

This development comes after the Osun IPAC previously expressed dissatisfaction with Abioye’s appointment as the OSIEC Chairman.

The council’s stance has been supported by various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

They have raised concerns about Abioye’s prior affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and his former role as a Special Adviser on Legal Matters to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In response, Abioye clarified that he resigned from the Osun PDP and his position in the Adeleke cabinet upon his nomination as OSIEC Chairman.

He also asserted that he underwent a thorough screening process and received clearance from the Osun State House of Assembly.