Osun govt misinterpreting court judgment to take over councils, group alleges

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Members of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday accused the Osun State Government of misinterpreting a recent Federal High Court judgment in a bid to facilitate the takeover of local government councils by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen.

The group also warned that the state government should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order arising from the lingering dispute over the administration of local government councils in the state.

Speaking at a press conference held at Ileri Oluwa House, Ogo Oluwa Area, Osogbo, the chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola, alleged that the state government had deliberately induced crises by giving what he described as a wrong interpretation to the June 15 judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

Ogunsola explained that reinstated APC chairmen and councillors had approached the Federal High Court on September 12, 2025, seeking judicial determination of the commencement date of their tenure in office, but the court dismissed the suit on June 15, 2026.

The APC members argued that the PDP chairmen seeking to assume office were not parties to the suit and that the court did not grant any relief in their favour.

“The judgment of the FHC that they want to utilize to enthrone themselves is subject of appeal with an application for stay of execution dated and filed on 16th June, 2026 and which has been served on the parties. It is important to state that this particular conduct of a whole state governor is not only embarrassing but also condemnable and capable of plunging an otherwise peaceful state into avoidable chaos,” he added.

He urged residents of the state to remain calm, saying members of the public should go about their lawful businesses and disregard misinformation being circulated over the interpretation of the judgment.

Ogunsola warned that any attempt to enforce the judgment before the determination of the appeal could trigger a breakdown of law and order, insisting that the status quo should be maintained pending the outcome of the appellate process.