Osun APC Accuses Adeleke of Suppressing Opposition Amid Court Ruling

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using state power to suppress opposition, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling reinstating local government chairmen sacked by his administration.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, warned Adeleke against actions that could trigger political unrest in the state.

The APC insisted that the court’s ruling was binding and must be respected by all parties, including the state government.

“The earlier Governor Adeleke realizes that Osun State is governed by law and not as an extension of his family estate in Ede, the better for him,” Olabisi stated.

The APC criticized Adeleke’s reaction to the judgment, describing it as a reflection of a poor understanding of democratic governance.

The party also argued that there was no legal basis for fresh local government elections, as the reinstated chairmen were legally elected.

“It defies logic that any government would attempt to conduct elections when, in the eyes of the law, there is no vacancy in the local government system,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the APC accused Adeleke of interfering with the judiciary and urged him to seek legal redress at the Supreme Court rather than making statements that could incite violence.

“If the governor is not satisfied with the ruling, the appropriate step is to approach the Supreme Court, not to incite the public against a lawful judgment,” the party stated.

Dismissing allegations that the APC was planning to cause unrest, the party maintained that its members had no reason to incite violence.

It instead accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring attacks on APC members since the court’s ruling.

“Assuming without conceding that any group is planning to create unrest, Governor Adeleke should look within his party. PDP thugs have been attacking our members since Monday’s judgment,” the APC alleged.

The party further claimed that its supporters had been targeted in different parts of the state following the court’s decision.

“It is unfortunate that Governor Adeleke, who became governor through the judiciary, is now undermining the same institution simply because a ruling did not favor his party,” it added.

Adeleke Denies Allegations, Accuses APC of Destabilization Plot

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has denied the allegations, instead accusing the APC of plotting to destabilize the state ahead of the local government elections scheduled for February 22.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke alleged that the opposition was fabricating fake court rulings and news narratives to mislead the public.

He maintained that a subsisting court judgment secured by the Action Peoples Party (APP) had already nullified the 2022 local government elections, rendering the reinstatement of the APC chairmen invalid.

“The judgment of the Court of Appeal in Akure was about the filing of court processes by the PDP and had nothing to do with the existing ruling that sacked the illegally elected council chairmen and councilors of the APC,” Adeleke stated.

The governor further alleged that the APC’s “evil agenda” was aimed at creating chaos and pushing for a state of emergency.

“Security agencies have been directed to apprehend anyone involved in such a plot,” he warned.

Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining law and order, insisting that no group had the legal right to forcefully take over local government offices.

“Anybody who tests our resolve to sustain law and order in Osun State will have himself to blame.

As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I will deploy all available resources to maintain peace and punish troublemakers,” he declared.

He urged residents to go about their normal activities without fear, assuring them that his administration was on top of the situation.