The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission recently announced a change in the minimum age requirement for candidates contesting in the November 16 Local Government elections. The minimum age has been lowered from 30 to 25 years, aligning with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the commission’s Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, this adjustment was made after a review of the election laws. As a result of this change, the deadline for party primaries has been extended by one week. The primaries, initially scheduled to end on September 9, will now run until September 16, 2024. The deadline for collecting personal data forms by political parties has also been extended to September 20, 2024.
Political parties that have already conducted their primaries can collect the necessary forms for their candidates from September 10, 2024. Submissions of these forms can be made between September 16 and 20, 2024. Additionally, a meeting with all political parties is set for September 9, 2024, at the commission’s Headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, at noon. Each party is requested to send a maximum of two representatives for further discussions.
The election timetable remains unchanged, with the chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled for November 16, 2024.