…OSSIEC Reacts

THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has accused the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, of deliberately frustrating opposition parties’ efforts in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for February 22, 2025.

This allegation is coming following revelations by the Commission, led by Hashim Abioye, which the APC claimed undermined their candidates’ chances in the election.

VAM News recalled that OSSIEC had raised concerns over the improper nomination of candidates by three political parties.

The OSSIEC chairman, Hashim Abioye revealed that the political parties affected included the All Progressives Congress, APC, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Action Peoples Party, APP.

Abioye, while presenting the report of the commission’s verification committee to journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, said nearly all the 18 political parties that nominated candidates committed one infraction or the other.

He said the affected political parties failed to properly nominate candidates for the chairmanship positions in seven local government areas.

However, in a statement issued by the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Friday, the party expressed concerns about OSSIEC’s handling of the nomination process for local government chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship candidates.

According to the Lawal, “OSSIEC had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for parties to correct alleged infractions in the nomination process in nine local government areas, including Atakumosa-West, Ede-South, Egbedore, Ife-Central, Ifedayo, Isokan, Olorunda, and Oriade.”

Lawal said despite its efforts to meet the deadline, “OSSIEC offices were unexpectedly closed by 2:15 pm on September 19, 2024, preventing the submission of the required documents.

“All attempts to contact the commission were futile, as no officials were available for the necessary administrative processes,” the APC noted in its statement.

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

He also accused the state electoral umpire of rushing to the press without conducting a thorough fact-check.

He also criticised OSSIEC for lacking a Public Relations Officer to address parties’ concerns, with Abioye reportedly handling all administrative tasks himself.

“We question OSSIEC’s impartiality. 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.

“We have also challenged Abioye’s appointment in court, citing conflict of interest,” he said.

Lawal expressed shock that OSSIEC, after granting a 48-hour window to address nomination issues, had closed its offices early, just a day after issuing the ultimatum.

“The conduct of OSSIEC is clearly aimed at frustrating the APC’s participation in the election,” Lawal claimed.

While raising concerns over the delayed release of election guidelines by OSSIEC, he revealed that repeated requests for certified copies of the guidelines by the APC had been ignored or rejected.

“In one instance, OSSIEC refused to acknowledge a formal request sent via courier, further fueling the APC’s suspicion of bias.

“The actions of OSSIEC under Barrister Hashim Abioye cast serious doubt on the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.

Lawal warned that the APC would resist any attempts to undermine its candidates through all constitutionally acceptable means.

“We shall employ all constitutionally acceptable means to ensure that the candidates of our party are not victimised by a pungently compromised electoral body that is not acting in tandem with its supposed independent attribute.

“Part of the reasons why we are smelling a rat about the independent nature of the Hashim-led OSSIEC is not limited to facts stated above”, the Osun State APC chairman stated.

OSSIEC Reacts

In a response to the allegations, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has said it will not be distracted by any attempt of blackmail in its efforts to conduct free and fair local government polls.

OSSIEC in a statement signed by Sadiat Isiaka on Thursday on behalf of the information unit of the commission, OSSIEC said the Commission is not only a media friendly organization, but also one that carries all stakeholders along in all its activities.

The statement added that the commission won’t be distracted from carrying out its mandate without fear or favour.