The political atmosphere in Osun State has grown increasingly volatile as the All Progressives Congress (APC) accuses Governor Ademola Adeleke of executive misconduct. The accusation follows the alleged refusal to comply with a Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated the APC’s elected local government chairmen and councillors.
During a press briefing on April 6, 2025, at the Ileri-Oluwa Campaign Office in Osogbo, former Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere, condemned the governor’s handling of the court ruling. Akere claimed that the state government is allegedly manipulating judicial processes and employing non-state operatives to stall the enforcement of the February 10 appellate court judgment.
“In the last two months, Osun State has witnessed a surge in executive lawlessness and judicial manipulation,” Akere stated.
According to him, Governor Adeleke’s address on February 16, where he publicly stated he could not guarantee the safety of reinstated APC chairmen, incited a wave of violence. The unrest reportedly led to the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including a political figure, Remi Abbas.
Allegations of Sabotage and Intimidation
Akere went on to allege that the government financially influenced the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to suspend operations in all 30 local councils and the Modakeke Area Office, disrupting governance at the grassroots level.
He further accused the Adeleke administration of altering historical documentation by removing plaques from health centres commissioned by the previous administration and replacing them with new ones that carry the governor’s name.
In what the APC describes as a premeditated strategy to regain control of the councils, the party revealed an alleged plan to obtain a mandamus order from an Osun State High Court in Ikirun on April 17. The court order, they claim, would be used to justify the re-entry of PDP chairmen into council secretariats, despite the appellate court’s directive.
Judiciary, Police, and DSS Urged to Act
The party has raised concerns over what it terms “kangaroo judgments” in Ilesa, designed to legitimize the PDP’s claims through judicial shortcuts. The APC has lodged a petition with the National Judicial Council (NJC), citing potential judicial bias and demanding accountability.
Akere appealed to the judiciary to uphold its integrity and warned that allowing lower courts to countermand higher court rulings, especially those from the Court of Appeal, could threaten Nigeria’s democratic framework.
“We urge the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and the NSA to investigate and prevent the looming anarchy orchestrated by state actors under the guise of court enforcement,” Akere added.
The APC insists that Governor Adeleke should take the case to the Supreme Court if unsatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s judgment, instead of creating political tension.
For context on how executive interference can impact local government autonomy in Nigeria, read this comprehensive article on The Conversation, a respected academic resource.
Governor Adeleke’s Response
In a swift rebuttal, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the APC’s claims as politically motivated falsehoods. He clarified that the governor had not initiated any legal action and had instead instructed PDP chairmen to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
Rasheed further stated that the APC’s position is a diversionary tactic to escape accountability for what he called their “unconstitutional occupation” of local government offices. He mentioned three ongoing lawsuits filed against the APC: one by the PDP’s ALGON-elected chairmen, another by NULGE, and a third by the All Peoples Party (APP), accusing the APC of contempt for ignoring court rulings.
“The APC is merely trying to deflect from the legal implications of their actions,” Rasheed concluded.
What This Means for Osun State
The escalating local government conflict in Osun is a test of Nigeria’s judicial independence and political maturity. As both parties remain entrenched in legal and political confrontation, the need for lawful resolution and security stability becomes more urgent.
For updates on political developments across Nigeria, check our latest reports in the Politics category on LMSINT Media.
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