APC FILES APPEAL AFTER COURT REMOVES OSUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, COUNCILLORS

APC FILES APPEAL AFTER COURT REMOVES OSUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, COUNCILLORS


The All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to challenge a Federal High Court judgment in Osogbo that removed local government chairmen and councillors elected under the party in Osun State, escalating the ongoing legal and political dispute surrounding control of local councils in the state.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, dismissed a suit filed by the affected local government officials who sought an extension and clarification of their tenure after disputes over their continued stay in office.

The affected officials were elected during the October 15, 2022 local government elections conducted during the final days of the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Although sworn into office on October 25, 2022, they returned to active control of the councils in February 2025 and have remained in office since then.

In the judgment delivered on Monday in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, the Federal High Court ruled that the three-year tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors officially ended in October 2025, thereby dismissing their request for continued occupation of the offices.

Justice Demi-Ajayi held that the tenure of the local government executives and legislators had expired under the law, effectively removing them from office.

Reacting to the ruling, legal counsel representing the affected APC officials, Muhydeen Adeoye, confirmed on Tuesday that the claimants had already filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, seeking to overturn the judgment.

According to Adeoye, the appeal raises six legal grounds, arguing that the Federal High Court introduced issues that were not originally presented before it for determination.

He also disclosed that his clients have filed an additional motion requesting the appellate court to restrain the respondents from interfering with the chairmen and councillors pending the final determination of the appeal.

The original suit was instituted by several council officials, including Onibonokuta Saheed, Ayegbayo Gbolahan, Olayera Elugbaju, Adegbite Mufutau, Balogun Olanrewaju, Adeyemi Fatai, Isola Kamoli, and Adeyemi Elliot, acting on behalf of other local government chairmen and councillors elected in the 2022 exercise.

Respondents listed in the matter include Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Attorney General, and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

The legal dispute began in September 2025 after the officials sought judicial clarification regarding when their tenure officially commenced, following earlier interruptions that prevented them from functioning fully after taking office.

Reacting to the judgment, Governor Ademola Adeleke described the ruling as consistent with constitutional provisions and maintained that the officials no longer had legal authority to remain in office.

The governor subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to direct the Osun State Police Command to withdraw security protection currently being provided to the affected chairmen occupying local government secretariats.

Adeleke stated that continued occupation of council secretariats by the affected officials lacked legal backing following the court’s decision.

Meanwhile, the Osun APC argued that the court ruling also raises legal questions regarding local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission on February 22, 2025.

In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the APC urged the public to remain cautious about conflicting interpretations surrounding the legal implications of the judgment.

The latest development adds another chapter to the ongoing political contest over local government administration in Osun State, with the matter now expected to proceed to the Court of Appeal for final legal review.

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