The proposed 2026/2027 local government elections in Oyo State have come under fresh legal scrutiny as the Federal High Court in Abuja commenced proceedings in a suit challenging aspects of the electoral process and seeking to halt the exercise.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the matter, ordered the plaintiff, Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, to serve the originating summons on the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which are the defendants in the suit.
The court subsequently fixed September 10, 2026, for a report on the service of the originating summons, after which the matter is expected to proceed.
Oyeniyi, who instituted the suit through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, is challenging the powers of OYSIEC in relation to the verification and screening of candidates seeking to contest the forthcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections.
The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether, in view of Sections 1(1) and 7(1), Paragraph 4(a) of Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the electoral commission are limited to the verification of documents submitted by candidates nominated by political parties and do not extend to the verification or screening of the candidates themselves.
He is also challenging Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026/2027 local government elections, issued on March 4, 2026.
According to the suit, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the constitutional responsibility of the commission is limited to the verification of documents of candidates nominated by political parties in line with the relevant constitutional and electoral provisions.
He is further asking the court to declare that OYSIEC lacks the power to conduct the verification or screening of candidates contesting chairmanship and councillorship positions, including candidates who may be substituted.
The plaintiff contends that the disputed provisions of OYSIEC’s revised timetable are inconsistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, and infringe on his right to contest or vote for candidates of his choice in the proposed local government elections.
Among the orders being sought is an order restraining INEC, whether directly or through its servants, agents or privies, from releasing the official and certified register of voters in Oyo State to OYSIEC for the conduct of the local government council elections.
He wants the court to maintain the restriction until OYSIEC strikes out, cancels or annuls Items 6 and 9 of its revised timetable and schedule of activities in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026.
The legal challenge comes as OYSIEC continues preparations for the local government elections scheduled to hold across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas on Tuesday, December 29, 2026. The commission had earlier shifted the election from January 16, 2027, following a revision of the national electoral timetable, while some activities in the election process, including party primaries, have continued under the revised schedule.
With the Federal High Court now requiring the originating summons to be formally served on both electoral bodies, the fate of the legal challenge will become clearer when the matter comes up on September 10.
The defendants are expected to respond to the claims as proceedings continue.
The suit is based on a current report from Channels Television, while OYSIEC’s official information confirms that the Oyo local government election is scheduled for December 29, 2026. (osiec.oyostate.gov.ng)
