The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the release of the updated voters’ register to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) or lending any support to Osun Electoral Commission for the planned local government election.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Osun State PDP, Dr Adekunle Akindele in a statement called on INEC to desist from supporting illegality saying any support rendered to OSIEC may tarnish the integrity of the national electoral body.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier composed to INEC not to release the updated voters’ register to OSIEC as the planned illegal local government election is subject to live litigation in court.
The party had in the communication specifically tasked INEC not to aid and abet illegality and criminality sanctioned under Section 150 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
PDP maintained that the planned council election by OSIEC was illegal and unconstitutional, and the process has not been in accord with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The Party Chairman further reminded INEC and Osun stakeholders that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has fixed the 13th day of September 2022 for the hearing of the suit instituted by the PDP against INEC and OSIEC to determine the legality and constitutionality or otherwise of the planned Local Government election.
The hearing would also involve the determination of the application by the PDP asking for a mandatory order of injunction to set aside the notice of election and all the steps already taken, being taken and/or about to be taken by INEC and OSIEC with respect to the planned illegal election.
The PDP is equally seeking a mandatory order of injunction against INEC from partaking in the illegality.
“We can confirm that all the court processes and hearing notices in the matter have been served on OSIEC and INEC,” the Chairman further stated
“We reinforce our condemnation of the OSIEC Chairman for his desperation despite the pendency of litigation in court. We express our confidence that the judiciary is up to the task to undo whatever illegality the OSIEC might have perpetrated”, assuring the good people of Osun State that the planned illegality will not see the light of day.
