The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) announced on Friday that it has lowered the minimum age requirement for candidates in the upcoming November 16 Local Government elections from 30 to 25 years.
Babatunde Osibodu, the commission’s Chairman, revealed this in a statement issued to journalists.
Osibodu explained, “This change follows a review of the laws regulating Local Government elections to align with Sections 7(4) and 106 of the Nigerian Constitution, which state that a candidate qualifies for election if they have reached the age of 25.”
Due to this amendment, OGSIEC has extended the deadline for political party primaries by one week. Originally set to conclude on Monday, September 9, the primaries will now continue until Monday, September 16, 2024. Political parties have also been given an extension to collect personal data forms (CF 001 and CF 002) until Friday, September 20, 2024.
Osibodu added that political parties that have already completed their primaries can begin collecting the required forms for their candidates starting Tuesday, September 10, 2024, with submissions permitted from September 16 to 20, 2024.
In addition, a meeting with all political parties has been scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, at the commission’s headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, at noon. Each party may send up to two representatives to discuss the upcoming elections further.
Osibodu confirmed that all other dates in the previously published election timetable remain unchanged, including the chairmanship and councillorship elections, which are scheduled for November 16, 2024.
