Court of Appeal Nullifies 2022 Osun LG Elections, Validates OSSIEC’s 2025 Polls — Chairman Abioye Declares “The Siege is Over

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has, in a landmark judgment delivered today, reaffirmed the nullification of the controversial 2022 local government elections conducted in Osun State under the previous administration, declaring that no legal mandate or office resulted from that exercise.

In response to the ruling, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, Esq., addressed the public in a statewide broadcast, describing the judgment as a vindication of the Commission’s stance and actions, especially regarding the February 22, 2025, local government elections.

According to Abioye, the Court’s verdict unequivocally confirmed that there was no reinstatement of any officials elected during the voided 2022 polls, contrary to claims by some political actors, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had filed for a relisting of the case.

Abioye revealed that the Commission faced significant obstruction from what he described as “desperate and dangerous actors” who falsely claimed that the 2022 officials had been reinstated and that there were no vacancies to be filled in the local councils.

He accused these groups of twisting a February 10, 2025 Court of Appeal judgment to suit their agenda, introducing the term “reinstatement” into the discourse — a word the court never used. This misinformation, Abioye said, was used to gain the backing of powerful figures, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.

He noted that their collaboration led to a disturbing sequence of events:

• Sealing of OSSIEC offices by the police on the IGP’s orders
• Warnings against the election issued on the eve of the polls
• Harassment, intimidation, and arrests of OSSIEC officials and election workers

Abioye clarified that these actions were not based on any court order, but merely on the advice of the AGF, which he said unjustly disrupted a lawful and duly scheduled democratic exercise.

Despite the obstacles, Abioye praised the Commission’s foresight and proactive strategies, stating that OSSIEC had anticipated these moves and adapted quickly. As a result, the February 22, 2025 elections proceeded peacefully, with winners duly declared and issued certificates of return.

“The products of that election remain the only legitimate political officeholders in Osun’s local councils today,” he affirmed, warning against dealing with any other purported officials. “Such action amounts to an aberration and a dangerous misstep,” he added, issuing a clear Caveat Emptor.

Describing the Court of Appeal’s judgment today as a “relief after tribulation,” Abioye stated that it not only reaffirmed OSSIEC’s constitutional mandate but also exposed the deliberate manipulation of the legal process by certain actors.

He emphasized that the ruling validated the position of the Osun State High Court in Ilesa, which had earlier declared the existence of vacancies and mandated OSSIEC to conduct elections.

In a bold conclusion, the OSSIEC Chairman called on the AGF and IGP to offer sincere apologies to the people of Osun State, noting that their actions caused undue hardship, confusion, and delays in the democratic process. He urged them to be more responsible and impartial in the discharge of their constitutional duties going forward.

“I thank all genuinely concerned stakeholders, our committed staff, and the good people of Osun State for their endurance. The siege is now over,” Abioye said emotionally. “We can now sing songs of praise to God for guiding us through a transparent, credible, and lawful electoral process.