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The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused some individuals of spreading false information about the party’s appeal against the state government and the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
According to the statement signed by the Director of Media and publicity of the party, Kola Olabisi, Enemies of the rules of law” are peddling fabricated information about the APC’s litigation.
The statement reads, “The APC is questioning why some people are spreading false information about the appeal, particularly regarding the conduct of the forthcoming local government council elections.
“Contrary to the misleading information released to the public on the 13th January, 2025 which has gone viral, over a purported dismissal of the All Progressives Congress’ Appeal in respect of the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel (Judge) on 25th November, 2022, it is important to set the record straight so as to unveil devilish wool with which the naysayers have attempted to lead the general public into the ditches.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on 27th July, 2022 instituted a Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/94/2022 between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 6 Ors at the Federal High Court, challenging the validity of the Local Government Elections held on 15th October, 2022 in Osun State and same was nullified by the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel on 25th November, 2022.
Dissatisfied by the judgment, the APC appealed the judgment and after several adjournments, the appeal was heard on 14th November, 2024 and judgment has been reserved till date.
Meanwhile, the Allied Peoples Movement(APM) at the instance of a party that dares not disclose its identity also instituted another Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/103/2022 Between: Allied Peoples Movement & 2 Ors v. Action Peoples Party (APP) & 4 Ors on the same subject matter of the Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/94/2022 between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 6 Ors and the same judgment was also delivered nullifying the Local Government Elections held on 15th October, 2022. The Appellants also filed a Notice of Appeal in this one too.
Having two judgments on the same subject matter, the appeal was duly prosecuted on the one instituted by the PDP and judgment has been reserved till date.
The OSSIEC then filed a motion to dismiss the second appeal and that was what was granted by the Appellate Court today 13th January, 2025 which the party had cunningly presented to the public as a dismissal of the APC’s appeal in the main suit.
“Contrary to misleading reports, the APC’s appeal has not been dismissed. Instead, the judgment has been reserved. The appeal was heard on November 14, 2024, and the court has yet to deliver its verdict.
“The APC is urging the public to be cautious of misinformation and to await the court’s decision.
The party has also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for amending the OSSIEC Law, reducing the notice period for local government elections from 360 days to 150 days, despite the appeal being pending.
“The political party that got judgment on the altar of a ground that a notice of election for local government elections has to meet up with the INEC’s 360 days’ requirement has now amended the same OSSIEC Law by reducing the number to 150 days even while the appeal of such a decision that imposes 360 days is still pending.
For the purpose of emphasis, no any appeal was heard on 13th January, 2025 at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal and the only appeal heard has its judgment reserved till date”.
The APC has assured the public that it will continue to pursue justice and transparency in the electoral process.
