Council poll: ADC drags EKSIEC to court over non-compliance with Electoral Act
The Ekiti state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dragged the State Independent Electoral Commission before the State High Court in Ado-Ekiti over alleged non-compliance with the provisions
The Ekiti state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dragged the State Independent Electoral Commission before the State High Court in Ado-Ekiti over alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act in the guidelines released for the forthcoming local government election.
The suit, filed on April 23, 2026, was instituted by the party through two of its chairmanship candidates, Mr Ogundipe Ademola Victor and Mr Babatunde Daniel Ogundana.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order restraining EKSIEC from proceeding with the council poll until what they described as “offending provisions” in the election guidelines are removed.
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The plaintiffs, who alleged that parts of the guidelines contravene the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, and the 1999 Constitution, faulted the alleged imposition of excessive nomination fees and mandatory tax clearance requirements as conditions for participation in the election.
According to the plaintiffs, the conditions are not only restrictive but are capable of excluding credible aspirants from contesting the election.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, said the legal action was intended to protect the integrity of the electoral process at the grassroots level.
Aribisogan stated that the party was not opposed to the conduct of the election but against what he described as an unfair process.
“We are not against elections. We are against a process that seems skewed from the start. EKSIEC is a creation of law and must act within its bounds. Our democracy can only thrive when the rules are fair to all players,” he said.
The ADC spokesman maintained that the party remained committed to democratic principles and credible local government elections in the state.
