Osun LG controversy: Adeleke expresses concern over APC’s approach to legal dispute
….Urges adherence to legal processes
…Calls for Royal Fathers to promote peace
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed concern over the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its alleged disregard for the rule of law in the ongoing dispute over local government leadership in the state.
Speaking on Thursday during a briefing with the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, Governor Adeleke criticised the APC for what he described as an attempt to enforce a court judgement through unlawful means, rather than following due legal procedures.
“We are worried as a government because if you have a court judgement in your favour, there is a procedure for enforcement. The court has a process for this, and that process does not allow for brigandage and self-help, as the APC Yes/No chairmen are currently doing,” Adeleke stated.
The Governor questioned why the APC had failed to pursue its appeal against a court ruling that nullified the election of local government chairmen under its leadership.
“Why did the APC refuse to pursue the appeal against the APP judgement that sacked its chairmen? Why did the APC fail to take the case to the Supreme Court when its appeal was struck out by the Court of Appeal?” he asked.
Governor Adeleke recalled that after his victory over former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in July 2022, the APC hurriedly organised a controversial local government election. Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action People’s Party (APP) challenged the process in court.
According to him, the Federal High Court ruled that the election was flawed, declaring it null and void and ordering the removal of those elected.
He further explained that although the APC and APM initially appealed against the APP judgement, they did not actively pursue the case, leading to its dismissal by the Court of Appeal.
“Since the appeal was dismissed, the judgement sacking the Yes/No chairmen remains valid. As of today, that order has not been overturned by any court,” he stressed.
The governor alleged that Osun State was “ambushed” by elements within the APC who, he claimed, orchestrated a violent takeover of council secretariats.
“Without any legal basis, the APC executed a deadly plot to illegally take over the local government offices, citing a Court of Appeal ruling that contained no consequential orders or reinstatement directive,” Adeleke asserted.
He lamented that despite issuing a statewide broadcast alerting security agencies, no decisive action was taken to prevent the crisis, which resulted in seven deaths and multiple injuries.
“As a responsible leader, I ordered all parties to stay away from the council secretariats. The PDP complied, but the APC Yes/No chairmen defied the directive,” he added.
Governor Adeleke urged traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the facts of the matter, cautioning against the spread of misinformation.
“Our royal fathers, you now have all the facts before you. There is no court order reinstating the sacked chairmen. The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the ruling of the Federal High Court that nullified their election,” he noted.
The governor called on the people of Osun to remain vigilant and united, warning against fake news being weaponised to cause instability in the state.