APC LG chairmen sue Governor Adeleke, FG over tenure extension

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The ongoing crisis in Osun State’s local government administration has escalated as reinstated chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform have filed a new lawsuit seeking an extension of their tenure beyond October 2025. The chairmen, through their lawyer Barrister Muhideen Adeoye, filed an originating summons at the Federal High Court in Osogbo requesting their tenure be extended until February 19, 2028.

The suit, marked FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, names as defendants the Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Osun State Attorney General, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), and the State House of Assembly.

Led by Saheed Onibonokuta and seven other APC chairmen, the claimants ask the court to resolve six key issues including the duration of their tenure and the swearing-in of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) council executives.

The suit argues that under Sections 6(6)(b) and 7 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 91 of the OSIEC Law 2022, and relevant local government laws, the chairmen’s tenure should start from the time of their official inauguration and seating as democratically elected council members.

They further claim that since they were not given the chance to take their first sitting before February 9, 2025, they cannot be required to vacate office by October 17, 2025. The defendants, they say, unlawfully issued polls, held elections, and swore in other council members while the claimants’ tenure was still valid.

The claimants seek declarations that OSIEC’s actions to conduct elections and install new council members during their tenure are illegal, unconstitutional, and void. They also contend that the Attorney General of the Federation’s directive to end their tenure in October 2025 is unconstitutional and beyond his authority.

They are asking the court to order the AGF and Inspector General of Police to provide security to protect their tenure until February 19, 2028, when their three-year term is due to expire.

Finally, the claimants have asked the court to restrain Governor Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney General, House of Assembly, and OSIEC from taking any steps to remove them forcibly before their tenure ends in 2028.