The hearing into the suit challenging the conduct of the February 22 local government elections in Osun State has been adjourned to January 17, 2025.

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Thursday adjourned the suit for the hearing of pending applications or a settlement report.

DAILY POST gathered that the suit was filed by the Osun All Progressives Congress, APC, and 19 of its candidates disqualified by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC.

The candidates filed the suit against the OSSIEC, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the State Attorney General.

The plaintiffs sought legal redress to halt the elections, citing irregularities and exclusion from the local government poll.

Muhideen Adeoye, the counsel to the claimants, revealed that they are seeking two key reliefs.

Adeoye said they included, “the invalidation of the amended election notice published by OSSIEC on July 18, 2024, and the inclusion of the disqualified candidates if the poll proceeds.”

At the hearing presided over by Justice Adedapo Adeniji, counsel for the All Peoples Party, APP, Moruf Adediran, sought to join the suit.

However, the State Attorney General’s counsel, Deji Atoyebi, requested more time to respond to the application.

Meanwhile, OSSIEC’s counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, proposed an out-of-court settlement.

He suggested that the claimants withdraw their reliefs challenging the amended election notice and the absence of an Election Petition Tribunal, while OSSIEC could reconsider its rejection of the candidates’ nominations.

Adeoye also acknowledged the time-sensitive nature of the matter and promised to consult his clients on the proposed settlement, indicating readiness to present their decision at the next court date.

Ruling on the suit, Justice Adeniji adjourned the case to January 17, 2025, for the hearing of the pending applications or a settlement report.

Daily Post