The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until September 10, 2026, the hearing of a suit seeking to halt the conduct of the 2026/2027 local government elections in Oyo State.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu shifted the hearing on Tuesday to enable the plaintiff, Akinloye Olusegun Oyeniyi, properly serve the originating summons on the defendants in the matter.
The judge, who was scheduled to commence hearing in the suit, ordered the plaintiff to effect service of the court processes on the two defendants and report back to the court.
Oyeniyi had dragged the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court, seeking orders to stop the planned local government elections in the state.
The plaintiff is challenging aspects of OYSIEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026/2027 Local Government Councils Election, particularly Items 6 and 9.
Through his counsel, Ayo Omoleaupen, the plaintiff asked the court to determine whether the powers of OYSIEC were limited to the verification of documents of candidates nominated by political parties or whether the commission could also conduct the verification and screening of candidates.
Oyeniyi is relying on Sections 1(1) and 7(1), Paragraph 4(a) of Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Section 153(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
He contended that Items 6 and 9 of the timetable, issued by OYSIEC on March 4, 2026, were inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act.
The plaintiff argued that the disputed provisions of the timetable infringed on his right to contest and vote for candidates of his choice in the Oyo State local government elections.
He is seeking a declaration that OYSIEC’s constitutional duty is limited to the verification of documents of candidates nominated by political parties.
Oyeniyi also asked the court to declare that the electoral body lacked the power to conduct the verification or screening of councillorship and chairmanship candidates or screen substituted candidates.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff asked the court to restrain INEC from releasing the Oyo State register of voters to OYSIEC for the conduct of the elections until the disputed provisions of the timetable are withdrawn or amended.
He also sought an order striking out, cancelling or annulling Items 6 and 9 of the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections.
Oyeniyi, a politician from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, told the court that his interests would be seriously affected if the elections were allowed to proceed without the determination of the suit.
In an affidavit filed in support of the originating summons, the plaintiff maintained that the defendants would not suffer any injustice if the reliefs sought were granted.
He argued that the suit was aimed at upholding the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions.
“The defendants/respondents will not lose anything by the grant of this application. I do know that the balance of convenience in this application is in favour of the plaintiff/applicant,” he stated.
Oyeniyi further argued that the alleged violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026, could not be adequately remedied by the payment of damages.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until September 10, 2026, for further hearing.
