A Federal High Court in Osun State has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state.
Ruling on Monday in a suit by the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Justice Babs Kuewumi restrained INEC from allowing Rufus Oluwatoyin Akeju to supervise next month’s elections.
The court’s decision was informed by INEC’s failure to either enter an appearance or file a defence. Plaintiff’s lawyer Kehinde Adesiyan urged the court to give a ruling.
The PDP alleged that the REC was likely to be biased against it because of his purported link with Lagos State. The electoral commission and Akeju were named as defendants.
PDP said Akeju is sympathetic to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) having allegedly hailed from Lagos State, which is controlled by the party.
The plaintiff claimed that the REC’s appointment might have been influenced by the Lagos State government.
Major Raphael Ayotunde Towobola (rtd), a member of the Osun PDP’s Elders Caucus averred, in a supporting affidavit, that prior to his appointment, Akeju lived and worked in Lagos as a Special Assistant in the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Court orders INEC to replace Osun REC