Court begins hearing on suit seeking to halt Oyo LG elections

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has commenced proceedings in a suit seeking to halt the conduct of the 2026/2027 local government elections in Oyo State over allegations that the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) exceeded its constitutional powers in the screening of candidates. Trial judge Obiora Egwuatu last week ordered the claimant, Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, to serve the originating summons and other court processes on the defendants. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 10, 2026, for a service report. Oyeniyi, a businessman and politician from Ogbomoso, had filed the action against OYSIEC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first and second defendants, respectively, asking the court to intervene in the electoral process and restrain the conduct of the council polls pending the determination of the substantive suit. Advertisement The claimant, through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, is challenging aspects of OYSIEC's Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026/2027 Local Government Elections in the state, issued on March 4, 2026. At the heart of the suit is the question of whether the state electoral commission possesses the power to screen candidates or whether its role is limited to verifying documents submitted by political parties in respect of nominated candidates. Specifically, Oyeniyi is asking the court to determine whether, by virtue of Sections 1(1) and 7(1) and Paragraph 4(a) of Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, (as altered), as well as Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, OYSIEC's powers are limited to the verification of documents of nominated candidates and do not extend to the verification or screening of candidates. He is also asking the court to determine whether Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC's Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities are inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act and, consequently, infringe on his right to contest or vote for candidates of his choice in the local government election. Advertisement Among the reliefs sought, the claimant is asking the court to declare that OYSIEC's constitutional responsibility is limited to verifying documents submitted in respect of candidates nominated by political parties. He is further seeking a declaration that the commission lacks the power to conduct the screening of chairmanship and councillorship candidates or screen substituted candidates. Oyeniyi is also asking the court for an order restraining INEC, its agents or representatives from releasing the certified register of voters for Oyo State to OYSIEC for the conduct of the local government elections until Items 6 and 9 of the disputed timetable are struck out, cancelled or annulled. The claimant further wants the court to set aside the two disputed items because they allegedly contravene the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026. In an affidavit attached to the originating summons, Oyeniyi maintained that allowing the election to proceed under the disputed provisions would gravely affect his interest. He argued that the defendants would suffer no injustice if the reliefs sought were granted, contending that such an intervention would promote respect for the rule of law and strengthen democratic governance. According to him, the balance of convenience was in his favour and damages would not adequately compensate him if the alleged violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act was allowed to stand. He also maintained that the grant of the application would not prejudice the interest of the defendants. The suit is expected to proceed after the court receives confirmation that the originating processes have been duly served on OYSIEC and INEC.