Dissolution: OYSIEC Members Sue Makinde

IBADAN – Chairman and members of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) have sued the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, over the dissolution of the commission.

Joined in the multiple suits filed at the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, are the Attorney General of the state, the Oyo State House of Assembly and the Head of Service.

In seven separate suits individually filed by the chairman and members of OYSIEC, the claimants were challenging the premature dissolution and termination of their tenure of office as chairman and members of the commission.

In the originating summons filed by the claimants, they were seeking 10 main reliefs, including a declaration that the purported dissolution of the OYSIEC Commission and termination of the appointment of the claimants by the governor was illegal null and void.

They also sought a declaration that the resolution of the Oyo State House of Assembly purporting to ratify such dissolution of the commission is illegal, null and void; a declaration that the Oyo State government letter terminating their appointment as chairman and members of OYSIEC and dissolving the commission, dated  July 1, 2019 and issued by the Head of service was illegal, unconstitutional and void.

Also sought was an order setting aside the said letter of dissolution terminating their appointment as Chairman and members of OYSIEC; an order of reinstatement of  the claimants back on OYSIEC board and restoring all entitlements and rights; injunction restraining the Oyo state government and its agencies from reconstituting or appointing any persons on  the commission until the expiration  of the claimants constitutional  five-year tenure.

The claimants also filed before the court an application seeking  interlocutory injunction against the Oyo state governor, Oyo State House  of Assembly, and others, restraining them and their agents or servants from nominating,  appointing, screening any person or reconstituting the commission (OYSIEC ) until the determination of their case.

Makinde had by a letter of  July 1, 2019 issued by the Head of Service, dissolved the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, admitting their tenure had not expired, but offering the members money to pay them off for their unexpired tenure.

The claimants’ counsel, in a letter accompanying the service of the court processes filed, and addressed to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, which was copied to other defendants and the NIC, the counsel warned the government not to take any step to over reach or disregard the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court ,but respect the rule of law by ensuring nothing is done to appoint anyone into OYSIEC, while the cases are pending.

Mouthpiece NG recall that the governor on Thursday sent the names of the new appointed members to the House of Assembly for confirmation.