Political Tensions Escalate Over Local Government Leadership in Osun
The ongoing political standoff in Osun State has intensified as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remain at odds over the Court of Appeal’s ruling on local government elections.
APC Demands Recognition of Reinstated Chairmen
The APC has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of misrepresenting the court verdict, urging him to publicly acknowledge the reinstatement of its council chairmen and councillors.
According to the party, the Attorney-General of the Federation confirmed the legal authority of the reinstated officials over the local governments.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, called on Adeleke to halt any obstruction of local government administration. The APC maintains that the Court of Appeal’s decision on 10 February 2025 legally restored its members to office.
The party further alleged that Governor Adeleke ignored legal counsel and proceeded with the 22 February 2025 local government elections despite no legitimate vacancies existing at the time.
It also claimed that Adeleke’s representatives held discussions with the Attorney-General concerning the ruling, emphasizing that the governor’s administration was unlawfully managing local government allocations. The APC warned that continued interference would amount to a violation of the rule of law.
PDP Denies APC’s Claims, Defends February Elections
On the other hand, the Osun PDP has rejected the APC’s assertions, arguing that no court ruling reinstated the dismissed officials. In a statement signed by Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party accused the APC of spreading misinformation to mislead the public and undermine judicial integrity.
The PDP questioned why the APC submitted a fresh application at the Court of Appeal if its officials had already been reinstated. The party reaffirmed that the judgement nullifying the October 2022 elections remains valid.
Furthermore, the PDP criticized the APC for allegedly twisting the stance of the Attorney-General of the Federation. According to the PDP, the legal documents submitted to the Attorney-General clearly justified the February 2025 local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The party condemned the APC for what it described as an attempt to forcefully seize power through unconstitutional means. The PDP warned that such political maneuvers pose a serious threat to democracy and urged the public to resist any illegitimate takeover of power.
Osun Political Battle: What Happens Next?
As tensions continue to rise, both parties remain steadfast in their legal positions. While the APC insists that its chairmen and councillors should be recognized, the PDP maintains that the court invalidated their election results.
Observers anticipate that this legal and political struggle may have significant implications for the governance and administration of local councils in Osun State.
For more updates on Osun politics, visit Premium Times.
READ ALSO:
Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp:
Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear:
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT MEDIA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.