Political tensions in Osun State escalated this week as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) traded accusations over the legal status of local government chairmen and the perceived politicisation of the judiciary.
The dispute, which has deepened political divisions in the state, centers on conflicting interpretations of recent court judgments and the legitimacy of local government authorities currently in office.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Osun State chapter of the PDP accused the APC of deliberately misrepresenting court rulings in order to retain control of local government councils from which its members had been removed. The party alleged that the APC is “blackmailing the judiciary” and attempting to deceive the public with what it called a “false narrative” regarding reinstated council officials.
“There is no judgment reinstating the sacked chairmen,” stated Hezekiah Olabamiji, PDP Director of Media and Publicity. “The judgment of the Federal High Court sacking them still stands. The APC is peddling lies from the pit of hell in a desperate attempt to mislead the public.”
Olabamiji further called on the judiciary to remain resolute and not succumb to pressure or manipulation. He warned that some APC leaders could face contempt proceedings should they continue to distort court decisions.
In a swift response, the Osun APC issued a counter-statement through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, on Thursday. The party accused the PDP-led state government of attempting to influence judicial proceedings through an ex-parte motion designed to prevent the disbursement of federal funds to local councils run by APC officials.
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The APC noted that the court had not granted any such reliefs but instead directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearing scheduled for June 4, 2025.
According to the APC, the state government’s legal maneuvers were intended to sideline necessary parties and secure favorable outcomes through “pliable judges”—a claim the PDP has dismissed as defamatory and baseless.
Both parties referenced separate court rulings to support their respective positions. While the PDP insists that a Federal High Court ruling invalidated the APC’s control of the councils, the APC maintains that a Court of Appeal judgment dated February 10, 2025, affirmed the legitimacy of its officials.
The disagreement has turned local government control into a flashpoint in Osun’s political climate, with both parties accusing each other of legal manipulation and undermining democratic processes. Analysts warn that unless clarity is brought to the issue, continued ambiguity could fuel further unrest at the grassroots level.
The outcome of the pending court hearing in June is expected to significantly shape the political trajectory of local governance in the state.
