Osun LG crisis: Obey Appeal Court judgment – APC tells Gov Adeleke

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Osun LG crisis: Obey Appeal Court judgment – APC tells Gov Adeleke

Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke to comply with the recent Court of Appeal judgment reinstating sacked council chairmen and councillors in the state.
The party criticised the governor’s response, describing it as an attempt to undermine the judiciary and urged him to stop playing the victim.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday, APC State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, expressed concern over the state government’s reaction to the ruling.

He warned against actions that could incite socio-political unrest, insisting that the judgment was clear and should be obeyed without delay.

“We have invited you today to discuss the recent judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal concerning the sacked elected council officials. Their mandate has been rightfully restored, and Governor Adeleke must act in accordance with the law,” Lawal stated.

The APC leader advised Adeleke to stop seeking public sympathy and instead ensure the protection of the reinstated officials.

He stressed that the issue was a constitutional matter and should not be influenced by emotions or political manoeuvring.

“As a responsible party, we have remained law-abiding, pursuing every legal avenue to ensure justice prevails. This is not the time for political games but for strict adherence to the rule of law,” Lawal added.

The APC’s State Legal Adviser, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola, accused Adeleke’s administration of misinterpreting the court ruling.

He alleged that the governor and his aides were attempting to twist the judgment to suit their political interests.

Ogunsola also condemned Adeleke’s remarks against Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He dismissed the governor’s claim that Oyetola was using his relationship with the president to influence law enforcement agencies.

“The Governor erroneously assumed the role of the judiciary by attempting to interpret the judgment in his favour. His accusations against Oyetola and Tinubu are baseless and should be ignored by the public,” Ogunsola said.

He called on security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, to prevent any escalation of tensions arising from misinformation spread by the state government.

Speaking also, the former Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke Banik, and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Jamiu Olawumi, also urged Adeleke to uphold the rule of law.

They warned that the governor would be held responsible if the situation led to political or civil unrest in the state, urging him to prioritise peace and legal compliance.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had in a world press conference on Sunday, warned of an alleged plan by former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to forcefully take over local government councils.

He claimed that security operatives were being ordered to act on a non-existent judgment, thereby threatening peace and stability in the state.

Adeleke described the situation as “a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy” and insisted that the 2022 local government election that brought in the affected chairmen was nullified by two separate Federal High Court judgments.

“The request for reinstatement was declared an academic exercise by the Court of Appeal. No consequential order was given,” he stated.

Adeleke, however, dismissed these accusations as a desperate attempt to subvert democracy.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and instruct security agencies to ignore any illegal directives from Oyetola.

“Mr President is a democrat and will never authorise an unconstitutional takeover,” the governor said.

The governor also accused Oyetola of using his influence as Tinubu’s nephew to manipulate state security forces.

Also, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Sunday directed its members working in local government secretariats across the state to withdraw their services from today (Monday) due to concerns over political unrest.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr Christopher Arapasopo, the NLC cited fears for the safety of its members amid ongoing tensions between Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

The NLC, in its statement, urged all political parties to respect the rule of law and called on security agencies to ensure peace in the state.

Joining the NLC, the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, also directed its members across the state to withdraw their services, effective today (Monday).

In a statement signed by its State President, Dr. Nathaniel Kehinde Intangible, on Sunday, February 16, 2025, added that all gates of local government secretariats must remain closed until further directive.