…as APC moves to appeal judgement, insists Chairmen, Councillors will remain in office
By Ismail Azeez
Following a Federal High Court ruling dismissing a motion seeking a stay of execution filed by the sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) “Yes/No” local government chairmen, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Council, has directed members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other affiliates to secure local government secretariats across the state.
This was contained in a directive issued to its members on Monday, the Labour Union said the court’s decision affirmed that the former council chairmen were not entitled to tenure elongation, adding that the judgment had rendered their claims to office “null, void and of no legal consequence.”
The body gave directive to members across the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs), Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and Area Offices in the State to immediately secure council facilities against any attempt by the affected officials or their political appointees to gain access.
According to statement, Ensure all entrance gates to the secretariats are locked against the sacked “Yes/No” chairmen, councillors, and their political appointees. Lock and secure all vital administrative offices and council property against the sacked officials.
“Go about your daily administrative duties calmly, peacefully, and without panic.” Immediately report any forceful attempts to breach secretariat security to the state NLC leadership and the law enforcement agencies.
“This directive takes effect immediately and remains in force until further official communication from the NLC Osun State Council.
“Thank you for your unwavering commitment to protecting the rule of law and safeguarding public institutions in Osun State. All Correspondence Should Be Addressed To The Secretary. The NLC Osun State remains committed to defending the rights, welfare, and safety of all its members,” it stated.
Reacting, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo sacking the APC local government Chairmen.
In a statement on Monday by the APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party described the judgement of the Court coram Hon Justice Adefunmilola A. Demi-Ajayi in Suit No FHC/OS/CS/147/2025 filed by the reinstated Chairmen and Councilors elected on 15th October, 2022 in Osun State as a miscarriage of justice.
Recall that the suit was commenced in September, 2025 and following a number of Appeals arising from the interlocutory rulings, the Court of Appeal in Abuja sat on the matter on 3rd June, 2026 and adjourned the hearing of the appeals to 28th September, 2026.
Arguing, Olabisi said: “Notwithstanding the fact that the Court of Appeal has become seised of the matter and a motion for staying further proceedings by the lower court in the matter is pending at the Court of Appeal, the Judge went ahead and proceeded to give judgment today 15th June, 2026 where the suit was dismissed.”
“The Judge ruled that the tenure of office of the reinstated elected officers of the local government councils ended in October, 2025.”
“The implication is that the purported elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission on 22nd February, 2025 and the alleged swearing in of the people as elected officers on 23rd February, 2025 became a nullity having held that the tenure of office of the Plaintiffs subsisted till October, 2025.”
“Members of the public are hereby advised to be wary of the usual misleading information being peddled by the Osun State Government over the void elections and swearing-in purportedly done in February, 2025,” he said.
He however noted that the APC Chairmen and Councilors shall put to test the judgment at the appropriate venue and until such constitutional rights are exhaustively exercised, the Chairmen and Councilors will continue to discharge their constitutional duties in the office.
The State APC further called on law enforcement agencies to caution the members of the deregistered Accord Party alleging that they are trying to breach the rules of law by looking for means to create crises over the matter.
“Our members and supporters should remain resolute as we have resolved to explore the window of redress allowed by the law of the land to ensure the continuity of the good governance being offered by our party at the grassroots level of government in the state.”
“We however, enjoin the state police command to beam their searchlight on the state Governor Adeleke who has been issuing inflammatory statements and the illegal chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), one Sarafadeen Awotunde alias ‘Spain’ should there be a break down of law and order on the recent development in the state.”
“It should be noted that the chairmen and councillors or the APC have their constitutional right of appeal and they have exercised it by filing a notice of appeal together with a motion for stay of execution. No enforcement process can be commenced against them until the final determination of the appeal.”
“We, therefore, urge the members of the public to exercise restraint and await the final determination of the appeal,” the statement read.