30/05/2026
PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY DEE OSUN MONITORS ON FRIDAY, 29TH MAY, 2026
WHY INEC MUST RESTORE OROLU STATE CONSTITUENCY OF THE OSUN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AHEAD OF THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Dee Osun Monitors, a civil society organization committed to constitutional governance and the development of Osun State, is calling on Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to urgently restore the Orolu State Constituency seat in the Osun State House of Assembly.
A. BACKGROUND OF THE MATTER
On 28th May, 2014, the Federal High Court, Osogbo, presided over by the Honourable Justice Baba O. Kuewumi, in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/10/2013, held that:
1. The continued existence of 26 State Constituencies in Osun State without Orolu State Constituency is illegal; and
2. Orolu State Constituency is not a new constituency but an existing one that had already been created by INEC but suppressed, and accordingly directed INEC to conduct elections into Orolu State Constituency during the next general election.
B. OVER A DECADE OF INJUSTICE
It is deeply troubling that, almost 12 years after this binding judgment, the people of Orolu Local Government Area remain without adequate representation in the Osun State House of Assembly. This denial of legislative representation for over two decades violates Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution and constitutes a grave injustice against the citizens of Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas in Osun State.
We further emphasize that *the fact that INEC appealed the 2014 judgment at the Court of Appeal, Akure Judicial Division, in Suit No. CA/AK/110/2017 is not a license to deny the people of Orolu their rights*. An appeal does not operate as a stay of ex*****on. The judgment of the Federal High Court ought to have been given effect since 2014, pending the determination of the appeal. The continued deprivation of Oroluβs representation under the guise of a pending appeal is an abnormality that must end.
C. DEMAND FOR URGENT ACTION AHEAD OF THE 2027 ELECTIONS
With preparations for the 2027 general elections already underway, INEC must act without further delay to restore Orolu State Constituency and ensure that the people of Orolu are not disenfranchised again. Continued inaction risks creating constitutional and electoral crises that can be avoided now.
It will be a good sign of respect for our democratic advancement if the INEC Leadership can respond to the peopleβs call for the immediate restoration of Orolu State Constituency without further delay and unnecessary pride.
Dee Osun Monitors therefore demands that INEC:
1. Immediately comply with the 2014 judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, by restoring Orolu State Constituency;
2. Take all necessary steps to conduct elections into Orolu State Constituency during the 2027 general elections; and
3. Uphold the constitutional right of the people of Orolu to representation in the Osun State House of Assembly.
The restoration of Orolu State Constituency is not a political demand. It is a matter of law, justice, and the fundamental right of citizens to representation.
We expect that the new leadership of INEC, as an unbiased umpire, will understand this clarification and act decisively to restore Orolu State Constituency without further delay.
We call on all stakeholders β the National Assembly, the Osun State Government, traditional institutions, and civil society β to join us in urging INEC to do the right thing and end this aged-long denial of justice to the people of Orolu and Irepodun local government areas of Osun State.
Dee Osun Monitors and the Nigerian public at large have observed with commendation the strict compliance of the new leadership of INEC with various court orders and necessary legal provisions. Therefore, it will be tantamount to a double standard if INEC refuses to restore Orolu State Constituency as a matter of urgency in line with the subsisting valid judgment.
(SIGNED)
Prince Jide Adelaja Akinyooye, FCA
Coordinator, Dee Osun Monitors.
