The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Hashim Abioye, has assured that preparations for the upcoming local government elections in the state are in full swing, with all necessary arrangements made to ensure a free and fair process.
Speaking in Osogbo over the weekend, Abioye emphasized that the commission has established a clear timeline and schedule of activities leading up to the election. He further assured that the amended notice and adjusted timetable issued by the commission were comprehensive and sufficient for any political party preparing for the polls.
Addressing concerns about the legitimacy of the commission’s activities, Abioye stated that there were no issues surrounding the process. He pointed out that OSSIEC had followed the correct procedures from the issuance of the election notice, and noted that the commission had appointed Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers across all Local Government Areas for improved efficiency. Abioye also highlighted that two rounds of retreats and training for OSSIEC members and staff had been conducted.
The chairman further elaborated on the commission’s innovative approach to staffing, noting that the ongoing online recruitment for ad hoc staff was paperless, marking a historical first. This initiative, powered by advanced IT facilities, eliminates the security risks and potential disorganization associated with physical recruitment.
Abioye reassured the public that all information regarding the election is accessible on the commission’s website, and that its offices are open for administrative purposes at all hours. As political parties begin their campaigns, he emphasized that OSSIEC has made adequate logistical arrangements, with a focus on security to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
In addition to online engagements, OSSIEC has been actively informing the public through a radio and television program titled “OSSIEC Half Hour,” which serves as a platform for public information and orientation. Abioye noted that the commission plans to engage in physical campaigns and consultations closer to the election.
The APC in the state, however, expressed concerns about the election process. Party spokesperson Chief Kola Olabisi stated that the party is awaiting the outcome of several lawsuits, including one challenging the exclusion of some APC candidates from the election. Olabisi emphasized that the party’s preparedness hinges on the resolution of these legal challenges and called for a level playing field in the election.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party expressed confidence in OSSIEC’s preparations. PDP spokesperson Oladele Olabamiji stated that the party is fully prepared for the election and is actively campaigning across all local governments in the state. He praised OSSIEC for adhering to the election guidelines and maintaining an unbiased stance.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun also commended OSSIEC’s efforts, with Chairman Pastor Victor Akande confirming that the council is closely monitoring the commission’s activities. He reiterated that IPAC is ready to challenge any irregularities during the election process.
The state Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr. Odeyemi Oluwatosin, also weighed in, acknowledging that while some parties have expressed concerns about OSSIEC, the commission had provided all necessary guidelines. He called on the commission to ensure the election is free, fair, and credible, stating that this would cement its reputation.
With less than two months to go until the February 22, 2025 election, all eyes are on OSSIEC to deliver a smooth, transparent, and credible process.
“We started very well by getting it right from the time of issuance of notice, and as far as the schedule of activities are concerned, there is no serious legitimacy question mark on the processes so far.”
“On the part of the commission, we have been carrying out our activities within the circumference of the timetable, schedule of activities and guidelines issued by the commission. What is more, we have appointed Electoral Officers (EOs) and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) across all the Local Government Areas. We even appointed Special duties EOs & AEOs for efficiency and effectiveness. We have organised two levels of retreats, seminars and training for the Commission members, staff and all the EOs & AEOs,” he added.
“As am talking, the online ad hoc staff recruitment is ongoing. It is paperless, first in history, powered by our high-powered IT facilities that are on ground. The commission has never had it so good as we are having today. Imagine the cost, the disorderliness, the security risks involved, even possibility of a stampede is envisaged if we are to go physical in ad hoc staff recruitment! That has been eliminated now.
“There is no information anyone needs that is not available on the commission›s website and portal. Our offices are also open for administrative and official purposes even at odd hours, to attend to issues bothering on conduct of the elections.
“It is time for campaign by political parties and you can see some parties are already doing that. There have been adequate logistical preparations and there won›t be any disappointment, by God›s grace, in terms of election logistics. Election is sensitive and one needs also to be security conscious. I don›t have to speak with the whole of my tongue out of my mouth.
“But, we are ready and nothing is stopping us, Insha Allah, and I mean it. All I can tell you is that there is nothing left for us other than short-listing the ad hoc staff and to kit them adequate in terms of knowledge, technicality and logistics, which is the next in line. Majority of the Commissions activities are IT driven.
“We are engaging the public regularly. There is an ongoing programme on the radio and television tagged OSSIEC Half hour. It is a public information and orientation platform courtesy of the commission. We will expand the tentacles and frontiers of the information and orientation outreach of the Commission to reach larger audience.”
“The commission will also embark on physical campaigns, orientation, consultations and engagements with stakeholders some days before the election. That is our mandate and we shall deliver. As far as we are concerned, the process has been smooth with no hitches, and so it will be till the end.”
“To verify our claim, anybody can visit the Commission›s website, monitor the activities and put my words here side by side the information on those materials and see whether we have not really done well in terms of preparations for the elections.”
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, in an interview with its spokesperson, Chief Kola Olabisi on the election said, “ it is not an overstatement to state that the Osun State chapter of the APC is the leading opposition party in the state today.”
“It is also on record that some lawsuits are pending to challenge the exclusion of some of our candidates across several local governments by the OSSIEC.”
“In addition, our party has equally challenged the amended OSSIEC law that gives the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice power to appoint members of the Local Government Council Elections Petition.
“Our party’s preparation is, therefore, conditioned by the progress and outcome of these lawsuits. Where we are denied rights to participate in the elections, of what importance is the preparation again?”
“In view of the foregoing, we prepare for elections where there is a level playing ground. Our party shall find a legally acceptable means of crossing the bridge when we get to the river.”
Also, the state Peoples Democratic Party PDP spokesperson, Oladele Olabamiji said: “As far as the PDP is concerned, we are more than ready for the election as scheduled by OSSIEC.
“As could be observed, campaigns towards the election are ongoing in our party across the all the 30 local governments and the Area Office as we speak. We are sensitising and wooing the voters in our characteristic manner as a party that believes in the voting powers of the people.
“The electoral body, in our view, has been following due process, rebuffing all forms of political pressure here and there, and as a law-abiding political party, we have keyed ourselves into the electoral processes as outlined by OSSIEC. We are fully prepared and we are confident, our great party will carry the day come February 22, 2025.”
On its part, IPAC in Osun State said its members were fully aware “of every activities of OSSIEC.”
Its chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, stated that, “Up till this moment, we can say OSSIEC is prepared to conduct a free and fair election as promised.
“Our eyes are on them and we are ready to challenge them if we notice anything contrary to election process ethics, “ he stressed.