…Demands ejection of APC Officials from Osun LG Secretariats

By Jeleel Olawale

Pro-democracy organisation, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Tuesday held a peaceful demonstration in Abuja to denounce the continued occupation of local government secretariats in Osun State by All Progressives Congress (APC) officials, despite a series of court rulings affirming their removal.

Addressing journalists during the protest, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the APC’s actions as a blatant disregard for judicial authority and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework.

The group called on the Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately halt financial allocations to the ousted APC officials and instead direct funds to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors elected on February 22, 2025.

“Today we stand to protest the financial and constitutional breaches being committed in Osun State. Despite valid court judgments, certain APC officials continue to unlawfully occupy local council secretariats, masquerading as Chairmen and Councillors without any legitimate mandate,” Onwubiko declared.

He urged the Minister of Finance to act in line with the rule of law and ensure constitutional processes are respected, warning that failure to act could deepen public distrust in Nigeria’s legal institutions.

“The government must enforce the rule of law and constitutional order. Continuing to fund officials who have been removed by the courts only worsens public disillusionment with the democratic process,” he said.

The group demanded immediate collaboration between the Ministries of Finance and Justice to implement relevant court orders and give effect to the decisions of competent courts.

The protest later moved to the Federal Ministry of Justice, where further appeals were made for enforcement of court rulings that nullified the controversial October 15, 2022, local government elections conducted under the APC in Osun State.

HURIWA clarified that recent court decisions had not reinstated the removed APC officials. Specifically, the group referenced the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022 on February 10, 2025, which struck out the PDP’s suit on procedural grounds without affirming the APC officials’ reinstatement.

“The Court of Appeal did not rule in favour of the APC. Any claim to the contrary is wilful misinformation. There is no directive ordering their return to office,” Onwubiko stressed.

HURIWA challenged the APC to produce any legal provision or judgment that explicitly reinstates their sacked officials, asserting that none exists.

The rights group further referenced the Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 30, 2022, in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/103/22, which nullified the APC-led council elections. According to HURIWA, subsequent legal attempts by the APC to reverse the ruling have failed, including a dismissed appeal on January 13, 2025, and a rejected relisting application on June 13, 2025.

The group also called on the Minister of Justice to instruct security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, to remove individuals unlawfully occupying council secretariats across the state.

“We appeal to the Minister of Justice to act on the Court of Appeal judgment reaffirming the valid decision of the Federal High Court. Law enforcement must be mobilised to enforce these rulings without delay,” HURIWA stated.

HURIWA insisted that only the duly elected PDP chairmen and councillors should be recognised and supported, in accordance with electoral and constitutional law.

“We will not watch in silence as the rule of law is trampled and democracy subverted. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” Onwubiko concluded.