Osun LG crisis deepens as PDP, APC clash over Court verdict
Osun LG crisis deepens as PDP, APC clash over Court verdict
The struggle for control of local government councils in Osun State intensified on Thursday as the state government and the All Progressives Congress took opposing positions over the implementation of a recent court judgment.
The dispute followed a June 15 ruling by the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which dismissed a suit filed by chairmen elected under the APC during the October 2022 local government election. The court also rejected their request for an extension of tenure.
In a letter dated June 18 and addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, the Osun State Government sought security protection for officials elected during the February 22, 2025 local government poll, insisting they should be allowed to assume office.
The letter, signed by counsel to the state government and the local councils, Oluwabusola Oluwaniyi, also requested the removal of APC-backed chairmen currently occupying council secretariats across the state.
According to the government, the court dismissed all the reliefs sought by the APC officials, including requests aimed at retaining their positions and preventing their removal from office.
The administration further maintained that no court order had been obtained to suspend the execution of the judgment, arguing that filing an appeal alone could not halt its enforcement.
Governor Ademola Adeleke was said to have directed security agencies to ensure the safety of workers in the councils and facilitate the resumption of officials elected in the 2025 poll.
Part of the government’s position stated that the Federal High Court rejected the entire suit brought by the APC chairmen and declined all the reliefs sought.
However, the APC cautioned against any move to implement the judgment while legal proceedings remained pending.
In a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC alleged that supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Accord Party were planning to take over council secretariats beginning on Friday.
The opposition party urged security agencies to remain vigilant, insisting that the legal process was yet to be concluded because the affected chairmen had already challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The APC argued that once an appeal and an application for stay of execution had been filed, parties should refrain from enforcing the judgment until the courts determined the pending applications.
The party also warned that any attempt to forcefully seize control of the councils could threaten peace in the state, urging security agencies to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, counsel to the APC chairmen, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), has formally notified the Inspector-General of Police of the appeal and motion for stay of execution filed against the Federal High Court judgment.
In a letter dated June 17, Adegoke stated that the notice of appeal was lodged before the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on June 16, while the application seeking a stay of execution was filed at the Federal High Court the same day.
Relying on judicial authorities, the senior lawyer appealed to the police not to take steps that could amount to enforcing the judgment while the appeal and related applications remain before the courts.
He warned that implementing the ruling before the appellate court decides on the matter could undermine the judicial process and lead to what he described as a miscarriage of justice.
