Osun Gov't redeploys council administrators amidst LG dispute

By Jeleel Olawale

The Osun State Local Government Service Commission has redeployed five Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs) effectively immediately, a move that has heightened tensions regarding the control of local councils in the state.

The directive was contained in a letter dated January 26, 2026, signed by the Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Mudashir Oyedeji, confirming the transfer of senior career officers from Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to full Local Government Councils.

The reshuffle affects several strategic councils, including Boripe Local Government Area, the hometown of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola. According to the directive, Yakubu Adekunle Oni has been moved from Irewole North East LCDA to Boripe Local Government.

Other affected officers include Bolaji Wasiu Ayoola, who moves to Ola-Oluwa Local Government; Emmanuel Oluwole Ademokoya, now posted to Atakumosa East Local Government; Adebisi Lateef Kayode, transferred to Oriade Local Government; and Isaac Tope Akinwumi, who assumes duty at Ife East Central LCDA.

The official correspondence did not specify new postings for the officers previously managing these councils.

This administrative shake-up coincides with an intensifying dispute between the Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over council leadership.

In a statewide broadcast on Monday, Governor Ademola Adeleke asserted that the tenure of APC-elected chairmen and councillors expired on October 25, 2025.

However, the APC maintains that its officials were illegally removed by Adeleke in 2022 and subsequently reinstated by the Court of Appeal in February 2025, arguing that the court must determine the actual commencement date of their tenure.

Reactions to the redeployment have been polarized. APC supporters have characterized the transfers as a calculated attempt to wrest control from current political office holders.

In contrast, supporters of Governor Adeleke defend the move as a routine administrative exercise, maintaining that the state government retains the authority to deploy civil servants as necessary.