Edo LP Candidates Mashido, Others, Fault EDSIEC, EDSG Over Electoral Irregularities, Call For Electoral Compliance
By Our REPORTER
The Edo State Local Government council’s candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 Council Elections has faulted the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the Edo State Government (EDSG) over speculated electoral malpractices, irregularities and abandonment of electoral process.
In a Suit No. B/604/2024, the claimants, Eghaghe Mashido Osamudiamen, Osaghae Godfrey Ewaen, and Osaro Louis declared that the operative law for the registration and accreditation of voters and the procedure regulating elections to Local Government Councils in Edo State is the 2022 Electoral Act.
The claimants, led by Eghaghe Mashido Osamudiamen who has been in the forefront agitating for strict electoral compliance, declared that by the repeal of the 2010 Electoral Act by the 2022 Electoral Act, the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission establishment (Re-enactment) Law, as amended which mirrors the 2010 Electoral Act has become void and otiose and of no effect whatsoever, by operation of law.
Amongst other declarations, the claimants said that the Local Government Area elections conducted by the first defendant, (EDSIEC), on the 2nd of September, 2023, in compliance with the Edo State Electoral Law and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment (Re-enactment) Law, 2012 as amended, having been repealed by operations of law, renders the said election void and of no effect.
The claimants did mandatorily pray to the court to direct the EDSIEC to withdraw the certificates of return from the declared winners in the disputed election held on the 2nd of September, 2023 in the State.
The claimants issued a mandatory order that the first respondent conduct the said election in strict compliance with the express provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 within 60 days from the day the court passes her judgement.
The issues tendered for determination were, preliminary objections, whether the claimants can challenge the validity of the said election, whether the constituted suit is not caught by Res Judicata and whether the Edo State Local Government Law 2012, as amended, is in provision with the Edo State Electoral Act, 2022.
After citing several related cases, the three claimants who are from the Labour Party, (LP), in the 2023 Edo State Local Government Area elections represented by their legal counsel, Eghobamien & Eghobamien SAN, prayed the court declare the Edo State September 2nd, 2023 Local Government elections null and void and that the certificates of return issued the declared winners in the disputed election been withdrawn for a fresh election which will be slated to hold within 60 days from the very day the court passes judgement on the said suit.
For the main time, the claimants, in accordance with the law, have obtained a counter affidavit to sustain the suit.
Due to multiple irregularities in the conduct of Local Government elections in some parts of Nigeria, Eghaghe Mashido Osamudiamen who was the LP Chairmanship candidate for the Edo State LG election, 2023, is using this opportunity to buttress his agitation that “every existing, re-enacted and amended laws must be vehemently respected by the State Independent Electoral Commissions.”
