The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has stated that local government elections in the state will take place on February 22, 2025.
This was revealed on Thursday at a meeting with reporters at the OSSIEC offices in Osogbo, the state capital, by its chairman, Hassim Abioye.
He further stated that the poll schedule would shortly be distributed by the commission to all thirty LG Council Areas, thirty-two Local Council Development Authorities, and six Area Council Development Authorities in the state.
According to Abioye, the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act of 2022, the 2022 OSSIEC Law, and the Laws of Osun State mandated the creation of the brief.
He said, “I have invited you here today to announce to you that the process of elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State has been kick-started.
“Buoyed by the clear provisions of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) and fleshed up by the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the 2022 OSSIEC Law, Laws of Osun State, it is my pleasure to address this press conference so as to publicly herald the date of the elections and to unveil the time-table/schedule of activities for the elections.”
The head of the state electoral body noted that the commission had consulted with legal professionals and key stakeholders, ensuring that there are no legal hurdles ahead of the polls.
“You should trust us that OSSIEC under this new leadership will not falter on the side of due process and law. We have painstakingly studied relevant electoral legislations and judicial precedents, we have also consulted with distinguished legal professionals, experienced technocrats and key stakeholders, and we are satisfied that there is no legal hurdle whatsoever inhibiting, restraining, prohibiting, or clogging the wheel of this Commission from commencing the process of the local government elections in Osun State.
“I am therefore pleased to inform you that the radar is clear for this Commission to conduct elections into the 30 Local Government Council Areas, the Area Council, the 32 Local Council Development Authorities and the 6 Area Council Development Authorities across Osun State, Insha Allah, on 22nd day of February 2025,” Abioye added.
“The notice and timetable for the elections will soon be released, as same will be formally published in the dailies and widely circulated in the media.
“As such, the media being a part of the critical stakeholders, and their role being cardinal in the electoral process, this Commission has deemed it fit and proper to carry all of you along, using this avenue not only to announce the date and activities for the elections but also to seek your full cooperation throughout the process to make it a huge success in the end,” Abioye said.