APC Kicks As Governor Adeleke Swears In New Local Government Officials In Osun.
A political dispute has erupted in Osun State following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and councillors. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the move, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) had declared candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winners of all 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.
At the swearing-in ceremony in Osogbo on Sunday, Governor Adeleke urged the new officials to focus on delivering good governance while advising them to stay away from council secretariats to avoid clashes with the opposition.
“An Osun State High Court has affirmed the vacancies in both chairmanship and councillorship positions in all local government areas of Osun State before your elections on 22nd February,” Adeleke stated. “We will rely on the judiciary to ensure the peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the secretariats. Please be patient and abide by the rule of law.”
The governor further commended OSSIEC for following due process in conducting the elections and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for ensuring peace during the process.
“I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and constitutional governance,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Makinde urged political stakeholders to resolve disputes through legal means rather than resorting to self-help.
However, the APC swiftly reacted to the event, with its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, issuing a statement on Sunday denouncing the election as a violation of court rulings.
“In blatant disregard for the rule of law and a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal, Governor Adeleke conducted the election on Saturday,” Morka said.
He cited the 10th February Court of Appeal ruling, which reinstated local government officials previously dismissed by Adeleke’s executive order. The ruling had overturned a November 2022 Federal High Court decision and reinstated the officials until their term ends in October 2025.
Morka accused the governor of violating the Constitution by appointing illegal caretaker committees and warned that Adeleke’s actions could destabilise the state.
“We enjoin local government workers in Osun State to go about their duties peacefully and in line with the authority of the judicially reinstated officials,” he stated, calling on security agencies to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Furthermore, Morka urged the Federal Government to ensure that only legally recognised officials receive local government allocations.
“The people of Osun State deserve peace and security. Governor Adeleke must respect the Constitution and uphold lawful governance,” he added.
With both parties standing firm on their positions, the dispute is expected to be settled in court, leaving the political atmosphere in Osun State tense.
