By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Tuesday, began sitting on the suit filed to halt local government elections in Oyo state.
The court ordered the plaintiff to serve the originating summons on the defendants in the matter.
A plaintiff, Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, had dragged the Oyo State Independent
Electoral Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who were 1st and 2nd respondents in the matter, respectively, urging the court to halt the conduct of the council election.
Justice Egwuatu fixed the case for September 10, 2026, for report of service of the originating summons on the two defendants in the matter
In the suit filed by the Plaintiff, through his Counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, Esq., citing sections 1(1), 7(1), Paragraph 4 (a) of Part II of the third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, As Amended, he also prayed the court to determine whether Items 6 and 9 of the 1st Defendant’s Revised Time Table and Schedule of Activities for 2026/2027 Local Government Election in Oyo State issued on the 4th day of March, 2026 are not inconsistent with the provisions of section 1(1), 7(1) and Paragraph 4(a) of Part II of Third Schedule and of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended)
He also prayed the court for declaration that the 1st Defendant lacks the power of “Verification/Screening of Councillorship and Chairmanship candidates” or “Screening of Substituted Candidates” by virtue of paragraph 4(a) Part II of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) and section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. L
The Plaintiff, a businessman and politician from Ogbomosho, said if the court allows the elections to be conducted, his interest will be gravely affected.
