The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of violating his oath of office by conducting a controversial local government election despite a court ruling reinstating sacked council chairmen.
Following the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment restoring the previously dismissed council chairmen, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, had warned the state government against proceeding with the planned election, labeling it unlawful.
However, the Osun State government secured a High Court order last Friday permitting the election, which was held on Saturday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates won all 30 local government seats and were sworn in by Governor Adeleke on Sunday.
Reacting to the development, the APC condemned the election, describing it as illegal and a threat to peace. In a statement issued in Abuja, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the poll as a “sham” and “unconstitutional.”
“The purported fresh election conducted by Governor Adeleke and the PDP is nothing but a disgraceful sham—illegal, unconstitutional, and in contempt of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal. It is of no effect whatsoever,” Morka stated.
He further criticized Adeleke’s decision as a reckless waste of public funds, accusing the governor of inciting political unrest, which has already led to violent clashes and loss of lives in some areas.
The APC also condemned Adeleke’s appointment of caretaker committees to replace elected local government officials in 2022, arguing that it violates Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees democratically elected local governments.
Morka questioned why the governor, who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, had chosen to ignore a valid court ruling. He urged security agencies to prevent further escalation of violence and called on the Federal Government to withhold local government allocations from the state until duly elected officials assume office.
Despite the controversy, Governor Adeleke proceeded with the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in Osogbo, attended by his Oyo and Bauchi counterparts, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed.
Acknowledging the legal disputes surrounding the election, Adeleke maintained that the state had acted within the boundaries of the law. However, he advised the newly sworn-in chairmen and councillors to refrain from occupying local government secretariats to avoid clashes with the reinstated officials.
“We are aware of the legal controversies surrounding the election. However, the facts are out in the public domain, and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution,” Adeleke stated.
He urged the elected officials to remain patient and allow the judiciary to resolve the crisis.
In response, the APC Osun chapter instructed its reinstated chairmen and councillors to continue operating from their respective secretariats.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that elected APC local government chairmen and councillors must not cease resumption at their respective offices. They must continue serving the grassroots,” APC’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, said.
He warned against attempts to forcefully remove the reinstated officials, calling on security agencies, including the police, DSS, and civil defense corps, to maintain peace in the state.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the newly elected PDP chairmen, urging them to uphold democratic values and serve the people diligently.
With both parties standing their ground, the political crisis in Osun State continues to escalate, raising concerns over governance and stability in the state.
