The National Rescue Movement, often called NRM, has taken the Ogun State Independent Election Commission, or OGSIEC, to court. Why? Because they are unhappy about the money that candidates must pay to join the local government election on November 16.
For example, let’s say if someone wants to be a chairman, they need to pay N250,000. If they aim to be a councillor, it costs N150,000. But, if you’re a woman wanting to be a councillor, it’s a bit less, just N100,000.
NRM doesn’t think this is fair. They want the court to say these fees are not right.
The party also isn’t happy with the election timetable because they feel the commission didn’t give enough notice or talk to all the political parties before deciding the dates.
The case, with the number AB/741/2024, was looked at by Justice S O Adeniyi in the state High Court. OGSIEC is the first group being sued, and the Attorney General is the second.
The lawyer for NRM, Adekola Adedeji, asked the court if these fees go against the rights of the candidates. He is seeing if they break the Nigerian Constitution or Ogun State Electoral Law from 2007.
NRM is asking for a few things, such as:
1. They want the court to say the fees of N250,000, N150,000, and N100,000 are illegal and should be ignored.
2. They want the court to stop the election scheduled for November 16, 2024, because it’s based on rules made on August 8, 2024.
3. They want the court to cancel these fees and to make a new election date after consulting with all political parties.
Justice Adeniyi said that since this is a matter before an election, they will decide before the election happens. He asked the people being sued to respond in 72 hours, and the NRM to reply in two days. The case will be heard on November 8.