The Federal High Court in Abuja has begun hearing a suit seeking to halt the conduct of the 2026/2027 local government elections in Oyo State over alleged irregularities in the timetable issued by the state electoral commission.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, directed the plaintiff to serve the originating summons on the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge adjourned the case until September 10, 2026, for a report on the service of the court processes on the defendants.
The suit was filed by Ogbomoso-born businessman and politician, Akinloye Oyeniyi, through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen.
Oyeniyi is challenging provisions contained in OYSIEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the forthcoming council elections, with particular emphasis on the commission’s planned verification and screening of candidates.
At the centre of the legal dispute is whether OYSIEC’s constitutional mandate permits it to screen candidates or is restricted to verifying documents submitted by political parties for nominated candidates.
In the originating summons, Oyeniyi is asking the court to determine the scope of OYSIEC’s powers under Sections 1(1) and 7(1), Paragraph 4(a), Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
He contends that the commission’s powers are limited to the “verification of the documents of nominated candidates” and do not extend to the “verification/screening of candidates”.
The plaintiff is also contesting Items 6 and 9 of OYSIEC’s revised timetable issued on March 4, 2026, arguing that the provisions conflict with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
According to him, implementation of the disputed provisions would violate his right to contest elections and to vote for candidates of his choice.
Oyeniyi is therefore seeking a declaration that OYSIEC’s constitutional responsibility is confined to verifying documents presented by political parties in respect of nominated candidates.
He also wants the court to declare that the commission has no power to verify or screen candidates seeking the chairmanship and councillorship positions, including candidates who are substituted by political parties.
Another major relief sought by the plaintiff is an order preventing INEC from releasing Oyo State’s certified voters’ register to OYSIEC for the purpose of conducting the local government elections until Items 6 and 9 of the revised timetable are removed or cancelled.
He is equally asking the court to strike out the two items on the grounds that they are inconsistent with the Constitution and Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Oyeniyi argued that proceeding with the elections based on the disputed timetable would have serious consequences for his interests.
In an affidavit filed alongside the originating summons, he maintained that granting the reliefs would not cause injustice to the defendants but would, instead, uphold the rule of law and strengthen democratic processes.
“The Defendants/Respondents will not lose anything by the grant of this application,” he stated.
“That I do know that the balance of convenience in this application is in favour of the Plaintiff/Applicant.”
He further argued that any breach of the Constitution or Electoral Act by the defendants could not be adequately remedied through an award of damages.
Oyeniyi also maintained that granting the orders sought would not prejudice the interests of OYSIEC or INEC.
The case is expected to return before the Federal High Court on September 10 for an update on whether the defendants have been served with the court processes.
