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In this interview with Sola Isola, the Chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, speaks on the plans and effort of the commission in conducting the forthcoming local government election in Osun.
Where are we currently on the timetable of elections that was released by the commission.
As it is today, OSSIEC is in a good stead. We are steadily and diligently following the timetable/schedule of activities rolled out by the Commission one after another. We have passed the nomination stage during which political parties conducted primaries to nominate their candidates to contest for the available offices.
We are now at verification stage. We are collating nomination forms by political parties and we have named a Verification Committee populated by people of high integrity some whom have served this country meritoriously in various capacities in the past and some of whom are still serving the society till date, none of whom can be traced to any political party. It is after verification that we will publish list of cleared candidates who are eligible to contest
The turn out in the last local government election organized by OSSIEC was really low, what are you doing about voter education to ensure an increased result?
You should know the circumstances that surrounded that election in 2022. There were litigations in court, all the political parties boycotted the exercise for obvious reasons. OSSIEC then did not comply with its own law not to talk of the Federal legislation on local government elections. The election was a contest between the then ruling party and its own shadow. Osun electorate were angry, realizing the desperation to hold the elections despite clear warning and indication that the election was heading for the rock and and State resources were again being wasted. It was what it was, but the rest is now history.
How many political parties have indicated interest to take part in this election and whats the level of their cooperation with OSSIEC?
I am glad to inform the people of Osun State that for the first time in the history of local government elections in Osun State, all the registered political parties are participating. More interesting is that there has been free flow of information and communication between the Commission and the political parties both directly and through the IPAC. I can confidently say that we are all together!
So far, how can you rate the conduct of primaries by different political parties?
You know our mandate is to monitor primary elections by political parties. We are not to conduct for them. Political parties conduct primaries based on their respective guidelines and constitutions. What we have observed so far is the level at which political parties handled their internal affairs during the primaries to the extent that there was no volatile contest anywhere. That’s amazing! For almost all the political parties it was affirmation done in accordance with their respective internal rules. There was peace, there was sanity everywhere. We are happy and we are satisfied with the process so far!
You recently constituted a verification committee, is that an indication that all political parties have submitted their list of candidates?
Yes! The Verification Committee is on ground to check all documents submitted by each political party and its respective candidates during the period of nomination. The report of the Committee will be made public and will be sent to each political party as it affects it and/or its candidates. From all indications, all participating political parties have submitted their lists and their respective willing candidates have also submitted their nomination forms.
How are the committee members sorted, can they be trusted not to have any political affiliation?
I dare anyone to call to question the integrity of any of our verification committee members. None of them is known on any political turf as they are non-political players. Their pedigree is undiluted, their integrity is unimpeachable. Some of them are elder statesmen who have served this country diligently in various capacities the past, some of them are still serving. They are core professionals who are not affiliated to any political party. They are those that can uphold public trust anytime anyday.
What is the provision made by OSSIEC, in the case where some aspirants eventually goes to court on a ticket, will this not disrupt the election process?
Any aggrieved political party or aggrieved candidate who is not satisfied with the process of an election may seek redress in court. There is a couple of matters in court against the Commission and we are dealing with all of them with all sense of duty and responsibility. But then, no court will stop the process of a local government election notice of which was duly and legitimately given, especially in the face of dynamism and recent developments respecting administration of the local government in Nigeria today. No law is in support of stopping an election except in very exceptional circumstances when the court is irresistibly convinced that the foundation is faulty. Even at that, the court is very sensitive to electoral issues because they are cardinal to the sustainability of our democracy. Will the court do anything that will put our democracy asunder?
How are you addressing the concern of people thinking local government election is not always free and fair?
For the first time in the history of any state electoral body in the country today, no such State electoral body has set up a Committee like we did which is populated by non-officials of the Commission. Apart from bringing technocrats and seasoned professionals on board, we are collaborating well with various stakeholders in a way that guarantees openness and fairness. We are not putting any cards under the table, all our cards are on the table face-up. Ask anybody especially the participating political parties how we have been fairing, they will tell you this is a rebranded OSSIEC upholding all democratic tenets, ensuring transparency and openness. People can attest to the integrity of the process we have commenced so far and we are going to maintain that standard throughout.
With the recent ruling of Supreme Court on Local Government Autonomy, can it be said that OSSIEC is acting in accordance to the law while conducting this election?
Get one thing right! The recent Supreme Court decision is about financial autonomy of the local government areas. The power of state electoral bodies to conduct local government elections is still very much intact under our grundnorm. We haven’t done anything that will trigger the anger of the court. OSSIEC has fallen under the hammer of the judiciary twice in the past. This will not happen under our leadership by God’s grace. I can confidently say that as far as rule of law and due process is concerned, we haven’t faltered so far and we will not falter by God’s grace. We are striking the right balance and we shall maintain this standard till the last bus stop.
What is the level of result obtained in OSSIEC’s campaign against Social Vices?
Our Campaign Against Election 2CD is gradually taking off. We already started in-house, we will embark on a full public venture through massive sensitization, education and education of the public especially the youths. We already established a strong connection with agencies like the NOA, ICPC, NDLEA, FRSC, Police, youth groups, students bodies, and several others to drive our campaign. I want to believe that we will all have it so good at the end of the day.
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