Tension gripped Osun State on Tuesday as local government chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) insisted on resuming office following a Court of Appeal ruling which purportedly reinstated them.
The controversial local government election was conducted in 2022 during the final days of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, using a ‘Yes or No’ voting system.
The Federal High Court later declared the election null and void, prompting Governor Ademola Adeleke to sack the chairmen.
The chairmen subsequently appealed.
Following the court’s latest decision, the embattled APC chairmen mobilized their supporters, planning to reclaim leadership in the state’s 30 local government areas.
One of the Chairmen was heard saying, “As soon as we obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment, we will present it at the LGAs, and the police must comply.”
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun, Abiodun Idowu (Ifedayo), asserted that the rule of law must prevail.
“The Court of Appeal reinstated us, and by that judgment, we have resumed. Only the court can issue further directives,” he said, expressing confidence that law enforcement agencies would comply once presented with the court ruling.
However, the state’s Attorney-General, Barrister Oluwole Jimi-Bada, refuted the chairmen’s claims, maintaining that the Court of Appeal did not reinstate them and that they remain legally removed from office.
He said: “The election into the LG councils across Osun State held on 15th October, 2022 pursuant to notice of election issued on the 15/8/2022 was declared unconstitutional, invalid, null and void for violation of the constitution and breach of sections 28,29,32,98 and 150 of Electoral Act 2022.”
“All persons or individuals occupying offices in the state local government councils by virtue of the said election are accordingly sacked from holding such offices.”
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Osun Youths Progressives(O-SPY), led by Hon Tunmise Ajiboye cautioned the Osun Government to respect the reinstatement verdict of the Court of Appeal.
Also, the Osun State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement(APM), Adewale Adebayo cautioned the Osun State Government against spreading fake news over the decision of the court.
“Spreading fake news over the verdict of local government can cause anarchy in Osun State. Come out clean and if you have reservations over the judgment, approach the Supreme Court instead of confusing.”
