A civil society organization, Dee Osun Monitors, has called on the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, to expedite the hearing and determination of a long-pending appeal concerning the Orolu State Constituency in Osun State.
In a letter dated May 30, 2026, and addressed to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Akure Judicial Division, the group expressed concern over the delay in resolving an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against Orolu Local Government in Suit No. CA/AK/110/2017.
The organization stated that the appeal arose from a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, on May 28, 2014, by Justice Baba O. Kuewumi in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/10/2013. According to the group, the court held that the existence of 26 state constituencies in Osun State without Orolu State Constituency was unlawful.
The judgment reportedly declared that Orolu State Constituency was not a newly created constituency but one that had already existed and was subsequently suppressed. The court consequently directed INEC to conduct elections into the constituency during the next general election in 2014.
Dee Osun Monitors lamented that nearly twelve years after the Federal High Court’s judgment, the appeal remains unresolved, describing the situation as an “inordinate delay” that amounts to a denial of justice.
The group argued that the prolonged legal battle has denied the people of Orolu Local Government representation in the Osun State House of Assembly for more than two decades, thereby infringing on their constitutional right to representation as guaranteed under Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the organization, the absence of legislative representation has adversely affected the development of the area by limiting access to constituency projects, legislative oversight, and effective advocacy. It further noted that the continued delay undermines the principle of equitable representation across Osun State.
Dee Osun Monitors also warned that with preparations for the 2027 general elections already gathering momentum, further delays could disenfranchise Orolu voters, create uncertainty for political parties and electoral stakeholders, and trigger avoidable constitutional and electoral disputes.
The group therefore urged the appellate court to accord accelerated hearing and determination to the pending appeal. It also appealed to the court to affirm the 2014 judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, recognizing Orolu State Constituency as an existing constituency entitled to representation.
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