Osun APC Accuses Governor Adeleke of Court Process Abuse Over LG Chairmen Reinstatement

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of engaging in an abuse of court process by allegedly undermining the appellate court’s ruling that reinstated elected APC local government council chairmen and councillors.

In a statement on Thursday, APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, condemned Adeleke’s actions, claiming he has treated the Court of Appeal’s February 10, 2025, judgment with disdain.

Adeleke Accused of Backing PDP Court Cases

The party alleged that Governor Adeleke is behind lawsuits filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government officials, who were elected in the controversial February 22, 2023, council elections. APC also criticized the Osun chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for getting involved in what it described as a partisan legal battle.

The party accused NULGE of aligning with PDP-backed council officials, whom the appellate court ruling nullified, stating that their legal actions are morally and legally indefensible.

Fresh Legal Battles Over Council Secretariat Control

DAILY POST recalls that PDP local government officials approached an Osun State High Court in Ikirun on Wednesday, seeking resolution over the ongoing leadership crisis at the council secretariats. The crisis stems from APC-backed officials, elected under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration in 2022, reclaiming their offices following the appellate court’s ruling.

Additionally, NULGE has reportedly filed a lawsuit at the Osun State High Court in Ilesa over the alleged forceful invasion and occupation of local government secretariats by reinstated APC chairmen and councillors. The union stated that its legal action aims to protect its members from possible harm amid the political standoff.

APC Slams Adeleke Over Alleged Court Manipulations

Reacting to the situation, the Osun APC accused Adeleke of attempting to manipulate the judiciary to overturn a superior court ruling through a lower court. The party stated:

“If Governor Adeleke and his cohorts think they can thwart the judgment of a superior court through the back door, they will remain perpetual jokers of the century.

“If he had a substantive case, he would have proceeded to the Supreme Court rather than shopping for a compromising judicial officer to reintroduce a settled case at a lower court. This is a classic example of an abuse of court process.”

The APC further claimed that Adeleke’s legal maneuvers were politically motivated, intended to keep PDP members united while stalling the reinstatement of APC council officials.

“Those thinking for Governor Adeleke know these litigations are dead on arrival. They are merely wasting the court’s time and disrupting smooth local government administration,” the statement added.

Despite the legal battle, the APC insisted that the reinstated local government chairmen and councillors would remain in office and urged Governor Adeleke to accept their legitimacy.