The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has raised concerns regarding the improper nomination of candidates by three political parties in respect to the local government elections scheduled for February 22, 2025.
OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye announced that the political parties affected are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Peoples Party (APP). During a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, Abioye shared the findings of the commission’s verification committee, noting that nearly all 18 political parties that submitted nominations had committed some form of infraction.
Abioye emphasized that the affected parties failed to properly nominate candidates for chairmanship positions in seven local government areas. Discrepancies were identified between the names of candidates submitted by these parties and those listed on their official nomination forms. This inconsistency raises questions about the candidates’ eligibility and adherence to established electoral procedures.
“To ensure that candidates meet eligibility criteria, we developed a checklist to evaluate various factors,” Abioye explained. This checklist included assessing each candidate’s age, educational qualifications, tax compliance, payment of nomination fees, and confirmation of support from their political party. Abioye stated that these criteria were essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
He specifically highlighted that certain parties, including the APC, APM, and APP, did not comply with the necessary procedures for substituting candidates. “Any change in candidates must follow specific rules,” he asserted. For a substitution to be valid, the new candidate must submit their own nomination form, even if their name was not included in the original list provided to the commission. Failure to adhere to these rules renders any substitution invalid.
In response to the OSSIEC report, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi stated that the party had not yet received the findings but assured that they would carefully review the report before determining their next steps. “We are a party that values the rule of law. We will examine the report to ensure its accuracy and fairness,” Olabisi noted.
This situation raises important questions about electoral integrity in Osun State and the responsibilities of political parties in the nomination process. With the elections approaching, the actions of these parties will be closely monitored by both the commission and the public. Abioye urged all political parties to adhere strictly to the nomination rules to ensure a smooth electoral process.
As the election date nears, the OSSIEC will continue its effort to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that all candidates meet the necessary criteria. Voter confidence in the electoral system depends on transparent and fair practices by all parties involved.
