Stakeholders in the upcoming 2024 Local Government Election in Ogun State have voiced their concerns about administrative fees imposed by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC). This discussion took place over the weekend, highlighting a growing frustration with the costs associated with running for office.
On Friday, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for Ogun State urged the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, to intervene and persuade OGSIEC to withdraw the fees charged to political parties. OGSIEC Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, had set a fee of N250,000 for chairmanship candidates and N150,000 for councilorship candidates, which many believe is too high.
During a meeting with Assembly leaders, IPAC Chairman Comrade Abayomi Sanyaolu appealed for the elimination of these fees, arguing that they are detrimental to political participation. He emphasized that most parties cannot afford such high costs, which discourage potential candidates from entering the race.
Sanyaolu also requested an extension of the election date, currently set for November 16, to allow time for reviewing and amending the outdated Ogun State electoral laws of 2007. He stated, “We ask the House of Assembly to intervene in the ongoing issue between OGSIEC and IPAC, including the withdrawal of these fees and a review of how local government elections are conducted.”
In response, Speaker Elemide called on OGSIEC to reconsider the administrative fees and to ensure that all election processes comply with state and national electoral laws. He assured stakeholders that the Assembly is committed to working with OGSIEC to facilitate free and fair elections across the state.
Additionally, Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye and Ewekoro State Constituency member Yusuf Amosun urged OGSIEC to strictly follow constitutional guidelines to avoid legal issues surrounding the elections. They expressed readiness to assist in amending the electoral law if necessary.
IPAC’s Public Relations Officer, Itunu Abioro, also called for a further reduction in the administrative fees to encourage more candidates to participate.
Mr. Tunji Akonni, OGSIEC’s Commissioner in charge of Operations, stated that the Commission has been in constant dialogue with stakeholders, including IPAC, and is committed to following approved electoral guidelines.
He urged political parties to present credible candidates and engage in active campaigning, as many parties lacked representatives at polling stations in past elections.
OGSIEC Chairman Osibodu defended the fees, saying they are necessary to cover logistical costs, but promised to consider the stakeholders’ concerns.
This discussion comes in light of recent calls from opposition parties to prevent electoral fraud in the upcoming local government elections. Representatives from 15 opposition parties met at OGSIEC’s office in Abeokuta, stressing the importance of fair elections that reflect the voters’ choices.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) emphasized that transparent elections are crucial for good governance at the grassroots level. PDP caretaker Secretary Paul Ogunubi highlighted past issues of unfair practices favoring the ruling party, urging OGSIEC to ensure that votes count.
Labour Party Deputy Chairman Adesegun Bamodu echoed these sentiments, calling for a credible election process free from manipulation by the ruling government. Both parties hope for a shift towards more democratic practices in the upcoming election, emphasizing the need for OGSIEC to align with the electorate’s will.
