OPINION: OSSIEC CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED. By Bashorun Adekanola Desmond Abiodun

As preparations for local government elections in Osun state continues recent developments has exposed and revealed Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) as a biased and already compromised body as the body claimed in a press conference granted by Barrister Hashim Abioye (Chairman of the body) that All Progressive Congress, APC and two other political parties failed proper nomination of candidates. 

According to the OSSIEC chairman, Hashim Abioye  affected political parties included the All Progressives Congress, APC, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Action Peoples Party, APP.

In a press statement issued by All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State accused the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, of deliberately frustrating opposition parties’ efforts in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for February 22, 2025.

It could be recalled that Abioye, presented a report of the commission’s verification committee to journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, said nearly all the 18 political parties that nominated candidates committed one infraction or the other.

He said the affected political parties failed to properly nominate candidates for the chairmanship positions in seven local government areas namely Atakumosa-West, Ede-South, Egbedore, Ife-Central, Ifedayo, Isokan, Olorunda, and Oriade.

It's now important to set the record straight for general public to see how inconsistent and unreliable OSSIEC is, it was initially announced by OSSIEC that substitutions of candidates will closed on 13th September,2024 in which All Progressive Congress submitted list of substituted candidates on 11th September,2024 and the letter was duly acknowledged by OSSIEC, It now confusing how Barrister Hashim Abioye in his desperation named APC among disqualified political parties.

Silent in an unjust society means acceptability that is why as a registered member of APC I will expose the bais game of OSSIEC, as same body who claimed substitutions of candidates closed on 13th September,2024 permitted Labour Party,LP, on 23rd, September ,2024 to substitute there Vice Chairmanship candidate in Ife North local government and payment was equally permitted.

I don't know who will trust election conducted by this already compromised body. Yoruba will say "Satide ti yio da, Jimoh ni ao ti mo" from all indication OSSIEC is fast playing, proving or showcasing the agenda given to them. Because it is too evident that the Commission led by Hashim Abioye, is doing everything humanly possible to undermine APC candidates’ chances in the election.

It's also in the public that APC is challenging 

Abioye’s appointment in court, citing conflict of interest, Barrister Abioye is a known member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had previously contested for a PDP seat in the Ifelodun State Constituency in 2023. So reasons why Barrister Hashim is been partial can be easily detected by general publics. Actions of OSSIEC under Barrister Hashim Abioye cast serious doubt on the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.

Bashorun Adekanola Desmond Abiodun

Writes from Ilie, ward 11, Olorunda LG