LG tenure: Court adjourns to November 27 for hearing

The long-running legal dispute over the tenure of local government officials in Osun State saw a new development today, as the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo adjourned the matter until November 27, 2025, for substantive hearing.

The suit, instituted by the reinstated All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmen and Councillors, seeks a judicial determination of their rightful term in office and challenges the legality of the Local Government Elections allegedly conducted by the incumbent administration under Governor Ademola Adeleke in February 2025.

The APC officers, led by Onibonokuta Saheed in Suit No.FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, are arguing that they are entitled to a full three-year term commencing from February 2025.

The core of their argument is whether the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) could legally conduct a new round of elections on February 22, 2025, while their own tenure was allegedly still subsisting following their reinstatement by the Court of Appeal on February 10, 2025.

This impasse has been a significant subject of public debate and litigation concerning local governance in the state.

At the hearing today, Monday, October 13, 2025, counsel for the Claimants, Barrister Muhydeen Adeoye Esq., moved a motion seeking to restrain the Defendants from disturbing his clients in their respective offices while the main suit remains pending.

However, counsel representing the Defendants—including Barrister F.K Labo-Popoola (for the 3rd & 4th Defendants), Barrister Rachael Ojomi (for the 5th Defendant), and Barrister J.A Ayanyemi (for the 6th Defendant) argued that they were still within the legally stipulated time frame to file their responses to the main originating summons.

Presiding Judge, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, noted a key procedural issue, stating that the court record showed service was not yet complete on all parties.

She directed that the Claimants' counsel must ensure all parties are properly served before the next adjourned date to facilitate an expeditious determination of the case, a commitment she had made earlier.

Consequently, Justice Demi-Ajayi adjourned the matter to November 27, 2025, for hearing.