LP Chief AA Candidate Sue INEC: Ogun PDP Register Alteration Alleged

• Dr. Femi Olaleye of the Labour Party and Princess Victoria Jagun of the Action Alliance plan to sue INEC.
• They allege the Ogun State electoral register for 2023 was "mutilated" and "padded" with 40,000 fictitious names.
• They accuse Ogun INEC officials, Niyi Ijalaye and Femi Akinbiyi, of collaborating with the PDP to alter the register.
• A pre-action notice demands INEC cancel the altered register, revert to the original, and redeploy the accused officials within seven days.
• The lawsuit aims to challenge alleged alterations made after voter registration closure to favor PDP candidate Ladi Adebutu.

The planned legal action underscores a growing focus on electoral integrity in Ogun State, as parties seek to ensure that the foundational document for voting remains accurate and untainted by illicit modifications.

Dr. Femi Olaleye, who serves as the National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in the South-west, alongside Princess Victoria Jagun, the Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate for Ogun State, are preparing to initiate legal proceedings against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Their impending lawsuit centers on serious allegations regarding the manipulation of the electoral register designated for the 2023 general election within Ogun State. This joint effort by the LP Chief and AA Candidate to sue INEC over the Ogun PDP register alteration lawsuit highlights a significant concern over the integrity of the upcoming polls.

The two political figures contend that the voter register has been extensively tampered with, specifically alleging that it was "mutilated" and "padded" with a substantial number of fictitious entries. These claims suggest a deliberate effort to compromise the fairness of the electoral process in the state. The planned legal action underscores a growing focus on electoral integrity in Ogun State, as parties seek to ensure that the foundational document for voting remains accurate and untainted by illicit modifications.

The core of the allegations points to the involvement of high-ranking INEC officials in Ogun State. Dr. Olaleye and Princess Jagun specifically accuse Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), and Femi Akinbiyi, the state's Administrative Secretary, of collaborating with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to facilitate these illicit alterations. They assert that this alleged partnership led to the inclusion of names belonging to individuals who either did not complete the registration process or were otherwise ineligible to participate in the elections.

A precise figure of 40,000 additional names is cited as having been unlawfully inserted into the electoral register. Crucially, these additions are alleged to have occurred after the official closure of voter registration, a period when such modifications are strictly prohibited. The plaintiffs contend that these actions were undertaken with the explicit purpose of providing an unfair advantage to the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, thereby directly impacting the fairness of the electoral contest. This INEC electoral register dispute Nigeria brings into question the impartiality of the electoral body.

In preparation for their legal challenge, Dr. Olaleye and Princess Jagun have dispatched a formal pre-action notice to INEC. This crucial legal document outlines their grievances and stipulates clear demands that must be met to avert a full-blown court case. The notice insists that INEC immediately cancel the allegedly altered register and reinstate the original, untainted version of the voter list. Furthermore, it calls for the immediate redeployment of both Resident Electoral Commissioner Niyi Ijalaye and Administrative Secretary Femi Akinbiyi from their current positions in Ogun State, citing their alleged complicity in the register manipulation.

The pre-action notice, which was formally signed by their legal representative, Monday Mawah, sets a stringent deadline for the electoral commission. INEC has been given a period of seven days from the receipt of the notice to comply with these demands. Should the commission fail to act within this specified timeframe, the Labour Party Action Alliance INEC suit will proceed to court, signaling a firm resolve by the plaintiffs to pursue justice through the judicial system. This move highlights potential election petition grounds Nigeria, should the alleged alterations remain unaddressed.

The unfolding dispute over the Ogun PDP register alteration lawsuit is set against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in the state. In a related development, Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made a public statement accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State of being apprehensive about directly confronting Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate. While her comments do not directly address the alleged register alterations, they contribute to the narrative of a fiercely contested political environment where various parties are scrutinizing each other's actions and motives.

This legal challenge, therefore, transcends a mere procedural dispute, touching upon fundamental questions of electoral integrity in Ogun State. The outcome of this potential lawsuit could establish significant precedents for how future allegations of voter register manipulation are addressed, reinforcing the importance of transparent and verifiable electoral processes. The focus on the accuracy of the voter register underscores its critical role as a foundation for credible elections and a potential basis for election petition grounds Nigeria.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates in Nigeria should monitor this case as it sets a precedent for challenging alleged alterations to voter registers, which can be a critical ground for election petitions. It underscores the importance of scrutinizing electoral commission processes and preparing for potential litigation concerning electoral integrity.

Source: Original reporting via Nigerian news outlets