Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a lawsuit challenging the conduct of Local Government Elections in Oyo State to September 10, 2026. The case, filed by Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, seeks to halt the elections over alleged constitutional and legal violations by electoral bodies. The judge’s decision comes after he directed the plaintiff to serve the originating summons on the two defendants—Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—before resuming proceedings.
The plaintiff, a politician from Ogbomosho, argues that OYSIEC lacks the constitutional authority to screen or verify councillorship and chairmanship candidates. He claims this power is strictly limited to verifying documents submitted by political parties, as stipulated in Section 4(a) of Part II of the Third Schedule of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. Oyeniyi contends that Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC’s revised election timetable, issued on March 4, 2026, contravene these provisions and infringe on his right to contest or vote freely.
In his application, Oyeniyi sought a declaration that OYSIEC’s role is confined to document verification and does not extend to candidate screening. He also requested an order restraining INEC from releasing the official voter register to OYSIEC until the disputed items are struck out or annulled. Additionally, he asked the court to cancel Items 6 and 9 of the election schedule, which he says violate constitutional and statutory provisions.
Through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, Oyeniyi emphasized that granting the reliefs sought would uphold the rule of law and strengthen democratic processes. He stated that the defendants would suffer no injustice if the court grants his application, asserting that the balance of convenience favors him. He further argued that monetary damages cannot compensate for the violation of constitutional rights in this matter.
The plaintiff maintained that allowing the elections to proceed as scheduled would gravely affect his interests. He expressed confidence that the court’s intervention would prevent any undue interference with the electoral process and ensure compliance with legal frameworks. The adjournment to September 10 gives both parties time to prepare their arguments and ensures due process is followed.
This legal challenge adds another layer to the ongoing debates around local government elections in Nigeria, particularly concerning the division of powers between state and national electoral bodies. As the case progresses, it may set a precedent for how electoral responsibilities are interpreted and enforced at the sub-national level.
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