Notification of Withdrawal of Respective Certificates of Return of the Named Persons in ANNEXURE OSSIEC 2
The Chairman of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye has formally notifies the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regarding the withdrawal of previously issued certificates of return to certain individuals who were earlier declared as winners in the 2022 local government elections conducted in Osun State.
In 2022, OSSIEC conducted a local government election, and certificates of return were issued to individuals whose names are listed in the attached ANNEXURE OSSIEC 2.
However, the legitimacy of that election was subsequently challenged in court. The Federal High Court nullified the election and removed the claimants from office. This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in its latest ruling dated 13th June 2025.
As a consequence of the court rulings, OSSIEC had officially withdrawn the certificates of return from the affected individuals since 2022. Despite this action, there has been no reversal of the withdrawal by any court at any level to date.
Further to the above, OSSIEC wishes to report that it has successfully organized, conducted, and concluded a fresh local government election in 2025. A new set of local government Chairmen has since emerged from that election—none of whom are among those listed in ANNEXURE OSSIEC 2.
According to letter dated June 18th by the OSSIEC chairman Abioye, the Commission respectfully urges the Governor and the Central Bank of Nigeria to disregard any certificate of return that may be presented by any or all of the individuals named in ANNEXURE OSSIEC 2—whether individually or jointly.
These individuals are not recognized in OSSIEC’s current records as legitimate winners of any local government election in Osun State.
This directive is particularly crucial given the judicial invalidation of the 2022 election and the subsequent reaffirmation by the Court of Appeal in 2025.
OSSIEC stands by the legal and electoral process and has complied fully with the judiciary’s decisions. The Commission assures all stakeholders that only those elected in the duly conducted 2025 local government elections are recognized as validly elected officials.
