NRM Sues Ogun State Electoral Commission Over Sky-High Candidate Fees

NRM Sues Ogun State Electoral Commission Over Sky-High Candidate Fees

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has filed a lawsuit against the Ogun State Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) regarding the alleged imposition of administrative fees on candidates participating in the local government elections. According to reports,.…….CONTINUE READING 

OGSIEC has established a fee of ₦250,000 for chairmanship candidates and ₦150,000 for councillorship candidates, while female councillorship candidates benefit from a reduced fee of ₦100,000.

The NRM is challenging these fees in court, seeking a ruling that declares them illegal. The party has also expressed concerns over the election timetable, asserting that OGSIEC failed to provide adequate notice and did not consult with all legally registered political parties before announcing the election date.

In its originating summons, identified as suit no: AB/741/2024, the NRM is requesting the court to rule that the administrative fees imposed by OGSIEC are illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. Furthermore, the party is asking the court to postpone the local government elections currently set for November 16, 2024, to allow political parties sufficient time for campaigning and preparation.

Represented by Mr. Adekola Adedeji, the NRM is also seeking an injunction to prevent OGSIEC from proceeding with the elections as scheduled. Adedeji emphasized that the case aims to determine whether OGSIEC has the authority to unilaterally establish the election timetable and conduct elections without appropriate notice and consultation with other political entities.

He argued that the electoral body has violated several provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, specifically sections 7(1)(4), 106, 107, and 197(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), along with sections 10 and 14(1) of the Ogun State Electoral Law of 2007, section 3 and 18(1) of the Ogun State Electoral Commission Law of 2006, and paragraph 4(c) of the OGSIEC guidelines for local government elections in Ogun State.

For the interpretation of the relevant constitutional sections, he stated: “We seek to determine whether the first defendant can unilaterally impose the timetable and date for the local government elections, purportedly set for November 16, 2024, in Ogun State, without due notice and consultation with all registered political parties and stakeholders for the election.”

Justice S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta ruled that the case is a pre-election matter that requires urgent attention. He scheduled a hearing for November 8, 2024, concerning the NRM’s lawsuit and granted the defendant three days to file their defense.