A High Court in Osun State has adjourned the hearing of a case challenging the February 22 local government elections to January 17, 2025. The court, sitting in Ile-Ife, made the decision on Thursday to allow time for addressing pending applications or possibly reaching a settlement.
The case was filed by the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) and 19 of its candidates, who were disqualified by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC). The plaintiffs are seeking legal action to stop the elections, claiming irregularities and their exclusion from the poll.
The APC’s lawyer, Muhideen Adeoye, outlined their demands, including the cancellation of the amended election notice issued by OSSIEC on July 18, 2024, and the inclusion of the disqualified candidates in the elections if they proceed.
During the hearing, a lawyer for the All Peoples Party (APP), Moruf Adediran, applied to join the case, while the counsel for the State Attorney General, Deji Atoyebi, requested more time to respond to the application.
OSSIEC’s lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi, proposed an out-of-court settlement. He suggested that the plaintiffs withdraw their claims regarding the amended election notice and the absence of an Election Petition Tribunal, in exchange for reconsideration of the candidates’ nominations.
Adeoye agreed to discuss the settlement proposal with his clients, promising to provide feedback at the next hearing. Justice Adedapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 17, 2025, for further proceedings or a settlement report.
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