Osun APC reviews court verdict on electoral chairman

A Federal High Court in Osogbo has dismissed a suit filed by the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the appointment of Mr. Hashim Abioye as Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

Delivering the judgment, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter. The judge upheld a preliminary objection citing the APC’s failure to serve the Osun State House of Assembly a defendant in the suit with a mandatory three-month pre-action notice as required by state law.

The APC’s suit had contended that Abioye is a card-carrying member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state and sought to restrain him from acting as OSSIEC chairman. It also challenged the authority of Governor Ademola Adeleke to nominate him for the role.

Following the ruling, Abioye commended the judiciary, stating the decision reaffirms his position and validates all actions taken by the commission under his leadership.

In a reaction, the Osun APC, through its Director of Research and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, said the party is studying the judgment before deciding its next step.

This case is one of several legal disputes between the Osun APC and the state administration concerning local government elections conducted under different OSSIEC leaderships.