By Aaior K. Comfort

The Ogun State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has taken legal action to prevent the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) from recognizing any primary elections or candidate nominations other than those conducted by the party at the NUJ Hall, Iwe Iroyin House, Abeokuta, on August 30, 2024. This move comes as OGSIEC prepares for local government elections across the state, scheduled for November 16, 2024.

In the suit filed on Tuesday (No. AB/581/2024), the NNPP, represented by their counsel Barr. Monday Mawah, argued that the party had already conducted its primary elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 20 Local Government Areas and 236 Wards of Ogun State. According to OGSIEC’s guidelines, a political party is prohibited from fielding two candidates for the same position, and the electoral body cannot observe or accept nominations from multiple factions of the same party.

The NNPP’s legal action aims to ensure that OGSIEC only acknowledges the primary election held on August 30, 2024. The party’s acting National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, expressed satisfaction with OGSIEC’s conduct during the primaries but emphasized the need to protect the party’s candidates from what he described as “hijackers” from the Kwankwasiya group, who he claims are falsely presenting themselves as NNPP members.

Oginni stated that the court’s involvement is crucial for maintaining order and preventing confusion within the party. He also expressed confidence that Governor Dapo Abiodun and OGSIEC would ensure that the upcoming LG election on November 16 would be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.