The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has filed a lawsuit against the Ogun State Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) over the alleged imposition of administrative fees on candidates in the upcoming local government elections.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that OGSIEC has set fees of ₦250,000 for each chairmanship candidate and ₦150,000 for councillorship candidates, with a reduced fee of ₦100,000 for female councillorship candidates. Dissatisfied with these charges, the NRM has asked the court to declare these fees unlawful.
The party is also challenging the election timetable, arguing that OGSIEC failed to provide adequate notice and did not consult with all legally registered political parties before setting the schedule.
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In its originating summons, suit no: AB/741/2024, the NRM is seeking a court declaration that the administrative fees imposed by OGSIEC are illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void. Additionally, the party has asked the court to delay the local government elections, currently scheduled for November 16, 2024, to allow political parties sufficient time for campaigning and preparation.
Represented by Mr. Adekola Adedeji, the NRM is also requesting an injunction to prevent OGSIEC from conducting the elections on the announced date. Adedeji emphasized that the case seeks to clarify whether OGSIEC has the authority to set the election timetable and hold elections without adequate notice and consultation with political parties.
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The NRM’s argument states that OGSIEC’s actions breach several provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, particularly sections 7(1)(4), 106, 107, and 197(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Ogun State laws such as sections 10 and 14(1) of the Ogun State Electoral Law of 2007, sections 3 and 18(1) of the Ogun State Electoral Commission Law of 2006, and paragraph 4(c) of the OGSIEC guidelines for local government elections in Ogun State.
Justice S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta, labeled the case as a pre-election matter that requires urgent attention. He set the next hearing for November 8, 2024, and gave the defendant three days to file a defense.
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