In a significant legal move ahead of the upcoming local government elections in Ogun State scheduled for November 16, Prince Adebayo Ogunmeno Esq., a legal practitioner, has filed a lawsuit against the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) and eight others, challenging the selection process of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Sagamu Local Government Area.
In the case filed at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogunmeno is seeking an order to compel OGSIEC to remove the name of Afolabi Jubril Odulate, the APC's selected candidate, from the ballot. He contends that Odulate's candidacy arises from an "unilateral selection" process by the party, which he asserts contravenes established electoral laws and the party's constitution.
The lawsuit, marked as FHC/AB/141/24, names several defendants including the APC, Odulate, Chief Yemi Sanusi (State Party Chairman), Alhaji Rafiu Opaleye, Hon. Funmilayo Efuwape (Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs), Hon. Oladimeji Oresanya (Commissioner for Environment), Hon. Oriyomi Adewunmi Onanuga (House of Representatives member), Alhaji Dauda Olokun, and OGSIEC, as the first to ninth respondents respectively.
In his originating summons, Ogunmeno argues that the APC cannot arbitrarily designate a candidate without conducting a direct, indirect, or consensus nomination primary election, a prerequisite outlined in the Electoral Act 2022. He asserts that the ruling party's actions have sparked unrest among its members across the state's 20 local government areas, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the imposition of candidates.
As part of his litigation, Ogunmeno seeks declarations that affirm the necessity of conducting a nomination primary election when multiple aspirants are vying for the same position, and that political appointees are ineligible to participate as delegates in such elections.
Additionally, Ogunmeno is requesting an order to prevent Odulate from representing himself as the APC's chairmanship candidate and to instruct the party to withdraw his name from the list submitted to OGSIEC.
A copy of the originating summons, dated October 2, 2024, outlines a timeline for the defendants to respond to the legal action, stating that they must enter an appearance within ten days of receiving the summons.
The unfolding legal battle underscores the tensions within the APC in Ogun State as the party prepares for the local government elections, with calls for transparency and adherence to democratic processes growing louder among its members.

