APC condemns Osun LG election, accuses Adeleke of disregarding court order

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for conducting what it described as an illegal and unconstitutional local government election on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accused Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of wantonly disregarding a valid and subsisting Court of Appeal judgment, which had reinstated the previously sacked local government officials.

The party noted that the Court of Appeal ruling, delivered on February 10, 2025, effectively overturned a 2022 Federal High Court judgment that nullified the previous local government election. The appellate court, according to APC, reinstated the ousted officials until the expiration of their term in October 2025.

“The ruling of the Court of Appeal is the valid, subsisting, and binding legal position on the matter. Governor Adeleke, who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, has no justification for ignoring a valid court judgment,” Morka stated.

The APC further accused Adeleke of violating Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution by appointing “caretaker committees” to manage local governments after sacking the elected officials in 2022. The party insisted that it had respected the earlier Federal High Court ruling and pursued legal channels, unlike Adeleke, whom it accused of attempting to incite unrest in the state.

“Why is Governor Adeleke so desperate and determined to incite anarchy in Osun State? Why is he unaffected by the tragic loss of innocent lives due to his reckless actions?” the statement queried.

The party described the fresh local government election as a “disgraceful sham” and a waste of public resources. It called on the governor to respect the Court of Appeal’s ruling and seek redress at the Supreme Court if dissatisfied.

APC also urged security agencies to prevent any breakdown of law and order, warning that the purported swearing-in of newly elected officials by Governor Adeleke could further destabilize the state.

The party further called on the Federal Government to ensure that federal allocations to local governments in Osun are only disbursed to the judicially reinstated officials.

“The people of Osun State deserve peace and stability. Governor Adeleke must quit his political theatrics and uphold constitutional order,” APC stated.