Ogun LG Election: 22 Political Parties threaten legal battle as OGSIEC exclude them from participants’ list

The Ogun State Electoral Commission to face legal battle as 22 Political Parties allegedly report that the Commission excluded them from participants’ list.

The 22 Political Parties in coalition signed a petition against the Commission as the Local Government election draws nearer.

The 22 political parties allegedly excluded include; Advanced Congress of Democratics (ACD), Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), All Blending Party( ACP), All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Allianxe Social Democrats (ASD), Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN).

Others are Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), New Generation Party of Nigeria) NGP), Nigeria for Democracy (NFD), People Coalition Party (PCP), Progressive People Alliance (PPA), People for Democratic Change (PDC), Young Democratic Party (YDP), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP), Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), United Democratic Party (UDP), United Patriots (UP) and We the People Nigeria (WTPN).

The petition written by their counsel, Olusoji Oduntan and addressed to the OGSIEC chairman, Babatunde Osibodu alleged that the electoral body excluded the 22 political parties by not contacting or informing them on the necessary procedures on the coming election.

The petition reads partly, “we are solicitors to advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and other 21 political parties hereinafter collectively referred to as “Our Clients” and on their behalf and instruction we write their letter.

“Our Clients have informed us that your commission has fixed the 24th day july , 2021 for the local Government Election in Ogun state.

“That your commission has concluded plan to exclude them from participating in the said election since you have made no effort to contact or inform them on the proposed election;

Oduntan noted that the act by the Commission, as his clients alleged is against their constitutional rights.

“It appears therefore that our clients have been intentionally excluded from taking part in the upcoming Local Government Election which is against the spirit and intendment of the Electoral Act, 2021 as amended. It is clear infringement on the constitutional right of our clients to vote or to be voted for at elections.”

However, the 22 political parties have insisted to be added to participants list or else the Commission will face the heat of the court.

The petition also read, “our clients hereby apply through this medium to be register and listed for the upcoming Local government Election by your commission without any further and unnecessary delay.

“We would advise your commission to be guided by the Court of Appeal judgement in Appeal No. CA / ABJ/ CV/ 507/ 2020 wherein the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was mandated by the court of Appeal to relist our Clients as duly registered political parties in Nigeria.

“A copy of the said Judgement is attached herewith for ease of reference instruction is to inform your commission that unless necessary arrangements are made to ensure our Clients’ participation and involvement in the proposed Local government Election in Ogun state scheduled to hold on the 24th July 2021, the outcome thereof shall be challenged and tested im the Court of Law by our clients.”