The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has warned Governor, Gboyega Oyetola against any plans to conduct local government elections.
The Party also directed the warning at the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The PDP maintained that the exercise would be illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
In a statement signed by Abioye Hashim, Secretary, Osun PDP Legal Committee, the party added that the exercise would also be wasteful, especially at this crucial period and process of transition to the awaiting PDP administration and countdown to the taking over of power by the State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Noting that it was reliably informed that the APC-led administration in the State had concluded plans to embark on the illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional voyage, the Osun PDP stressed that such was targeted at siphoning Osun public funds as it would definitely turn to be wasteful and fruitless in the end.
“The Osun PDP wishes to remind Governor Oyetola and his OSSIEC that for close to 4 years since the coming into office of Governor Oyetola and since the inauguration of OSSIEC by the Oyetola-led APC Administration, the APC has failed to conduct Local Government elections in the State, despite persistent demand by the PDP.
“It is also to be put on record that the PDP resorted to a litigation which is still pending before the High Court of Osun State in HOS/M.139/2021, with PDP as the plaintiff, and Governor of Osun State, Attorney-General of Osun State, the Osun State House of Assembly, the OSSIEC, the APC and the caretaker chairmen in the LGAs, ACDAs and the LCDAs as Defendants to question the legality, propriety and lawfulness or otherwise of the caretaker committee set up by Governor Oyetola instead of conducting valid Local Government elections to usher in a constitutionally recognised Local Government Administration in Osun State, so the matter is subjudice.
“The concern of the PDP is further premised on the fact that by the provision of Section 28 of the Electoral Act, 2022, notice of any election must be given not less than 360 days before the holding of the election,
“while by the provision of section 29 of the said Electoral Act, every political party fielding candidates for the election must submit the list of it’s candidates not later than 180 days before the election.
“By the doctrine of covering the field, the OSSIEC law cannot give a shorter notice for the holding of an election than what is contained in the Electoral Act,
” otherwise, the OSSIEC law would be running into a collision course with the Electoral Act, and in that circumstance, it is the OSSIEC law that would give way, while the Electoral Act guides through.
“This is the settled principle of law to which the attention of Governor Oyetola and OSSIEC is hereby drawn as in the case of Issues. V. ACTION CONGRESS decided by the Supreme Court in 2011.
“Between now and 26th November, 2022 when the Administration of Governor Oyetola will come to an end, it is clearly less that 360 days, therefore making the planned Local Government election dead on arrival being a nullity ab initio.”
While calling on the citizens of the State to hold the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola responsible for any illegality, the party advised Governor Oyetola to focus on how to give account of his stewardship.
It also advised him to set up a transition committee comprising of teams from both camps so as to lay a solid foundation for a seamless, transparent and hitch free handing over of power to the incoming government on November 27, 2022.
Recall that the governor-elect had issued a statement alleging that government officials were planning on looting and diverting government assets.
The State government in a counter statement described the allegation as false.
The State government also stated that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was focused on governance and to deliver to the people of the state.
