Court Begins Hearing on Lawsuit Seeking to Stop Oyo Local Govt Elections Over Timetable Dispute

The conduct of the upcoming local government council elections in Oyo State faces legal hurdles as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja opened proceedings in a suit seeking to halt the exercise.

The legal action, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1849/2026 and filed by an Ogbomoso-based politician and businessman, Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, through his legal counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, lists the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

In the originating summons brought before the court, the applicant is asking the judiciary to interpret key provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act regarding the statutory boundaries of state electoral bodies. Oyeniyi contends that OYSIEC’s legal mandate is strictly limited to verifying candidate documents forwarded by registered political parties, arguing that the commission lacks the constitutional power to independently screen or disqualify councillorship and chairmanship candidates.

The suit challenges Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities, seeking a declaration to cancel and annul the provisions on the grounds that they contradict constitutional guidelines.

Furthermore, the plaintiff is seeking an injunction restraining INEC from releasing the certified national register of voters in Oyo State to OYSIEC for use in the council elections until the legal issues are determined. In a supporting affidavit, the applicant maintained that proceeding with the election under the disputed guidelines would undermine the rule of law and prejudice the rights of political participants.

During the initial proceedings, Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the plaintiff to ensure that originating court processes are promptly served on both OYSIEC and INEC. The judge adjourned the matter to September 10 for a report of service, paving the way for the court to hear arguments on the substantive application.