Reinstated local government chairmen and councillors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, took control of 30 local government areas in Osun State, enforcing a recent Court of Appeal ruling in their favor.
Reports indicate that APC members mobilized across the state, grouped by Federal Constituency divisions, to reclaim the councils. A monitoring exercise by The Nation confirmed that the chairmen successfully assumed office in several key councils, including Boripe, Boluwaduro, Ila, Ola-Oluwa, Ifelodun, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Olorunda, Ede South, Ede North, and Odo-Otin.
APC spokesperson Chief Kola Olabisi confirmed the takeover, stating: “As of 2 PM today, we have taken over 26 councils. Our chairmen have issued a directive for local government workers to resume duties.”
Similarly, APC State Secretary Kamorudeen Alao added: “We have taken over all 30 local government areas of Osun State. The process was peaceful—no fight, no violence.”
Osun Assembly Condemns Takeover
However, the Osun State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, has condemned the APC’s actions, describing them as an unlawful invasion of public offices.
Egbedun, while criticizing the role of security operatives in facilitating the APC’s return to power, said: “This crisis stems from a coordinated, illegal attempt to forcefully seize control of our local government councils by individuals who have no legal or constitutional right to those offices.”
He further stated: “Today, members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), forcefully broke into local government secretariats across the state. This unlawful invasion is not only a direct attack on our democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order.”
The situation remains tense as stakeholders continue to react to the unfolding developments.
