Osun LG Crisis: APC, PDP Clash Over Appeal Court Ruling

The political crisis in Osun State has escalated as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continue to spar over the Court of Appeal ruling on local government elections.

The APC has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of misrepresenting the verdict, urging him to acknowledge the reinstatement of its council chairmen and councillors.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC asserted that the Attorney-General of the Federation had affirmed the legal authority of the reinstated officials.

The party also accused Adeleke of obstructing local government administration and insisted that the Court of Appeal ruling on February 10, 2025, legally reinstated its members.

The APC further alleged that Governor Adeleke ignored legal advice and went ahead with the February 22, 2025, local government elections despite no existing vacancies. It also claimed that the governor’s representatives met with the Attorney-General of the Federation to discuss the ruling.

The party condemned what it described as the unlawful management of local government allocations by Adeleke’s administration and demanded the immediate recognition of the reinstated officials. It warned that any further obstruction would constitute a violation of the rule of law.

However, the Osun PDP has dismissed the APC’s claims, maintaining that no court order reinstated the sacked officials. The party accused the APC of misleading the public and attempting to undermine the judiciary.

In a statement signed by Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party questioned why the APC filed a fresh application at the Court of Appeal if its members had already been reinstated. It insisted that the judgment nullifying the October 2022 elections remained valid.

The PDP also accused the APC of misrepresenting the Attorney-General’s position, stating that legal documents presented to him supported the February 2025 local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

Furthermore, the PDP condemned what it termed an attempt by the APC to “forcefully take power through the backdoor,” warning that such actions threatened democracy. It called on citizens to resist any unconstitutional takeover.

As tensions escalate, both parties remain firm in their legal arguments. While the APC demands recognition of its chairmen and councillors, the PDP maintains that their election was invalidated by the courts.