Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has begun hearing a suit seeking to stop the conduct of the 2026/2027 local government elections in Oyo State.
The suit was filed by Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, a businessman and politician from Ogbomoso, against the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the court ordered the plaintiff to serve the originating summons on the defendants and fixed September 10, 2026 for a report on the service of the court processes.
Through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, Esq., Oyeniyi is asking the court to determine whether OYSIEC’s constitutional powers are limited to the verification of documents submitted by nominated candidates or extend to the verification and screening of candidates.
The plaintiff is also challenging Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026/2027 local government election, arguing that they are inconsistent with provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
He wants the court to declare that OYSIEC’s constitutional responsibility is limited to verifying the documents of candidates nominated by political parties and that the commission lacks the power to screen councillorship and chairmanship candidates or substituted candidates.
Oyeniyi is further asking the court to restrain INEC from releasing the certified register of voters for Oyo State to OYSIEC for use in the local government election until the disputed provisions of the timetable are cancelled or amended.
He is also seeking an order directing OYSIEC to strike out, cancel or annul Items 6 and 9 of its revised timetable on the grounds that they allegedly violate the Constitution and Electoral Act 2026.
In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Oyeniyi said allowing the election to proceed would seriously affect his interests.
He argued that the defendants would suffer no injustice if the reliefs were granted, adding that doing so would help uphold the rule of law and strengthen democracy.
“The balance of convenience in this application is in favour of the Plaintiff/Applicant.”
He further argued that any alleged violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act could not adequately be compensated through damages.
The court will return to the matter on September 10 for a report on service of the originating summons on the two electoral bodies.
Source: Court proceedings in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
