Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has pledged to pursue the lingering local government administration dispute in the state to a logical conclusion through legal channels.
This commitment was made in a statement released on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, following a recent Court of Appeal judgement which Adeleke hailed as reaffirming the legitimacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors elected and sworn in by his administration.
The controversy stems from two Appeal Court judgements delivered on 10 February and 13 June 2025 by the Akure Division which have been interpreted differently by the state’s two leading parties, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the APC argues that the 10 February judgement reinstated its local government chairmen, who were sacked by a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo after the 22 October 2022 local government elections, the PDP insists that no such reinstatement was ordered.
READ ALSO: Osun LG Crisis: Adeleke reaffirms commitment to peaceful, legal resolution
Following the Appeal Court’s ruling, Governor Adeleke conducted new local government elections on 22 February 2025, in which PDP candidates won all available seats.
Commending the judiciary, Adeleke said, “Unlike the opposition, we are people of due process. The latest judgement is being served on all relevant stakeholders at state and national level. Our expectation is a quick restoration of normalcy in line with the law.”
He praised the patience of Osun people and the restraint shown by PDP chairmen and councillors across the 30 local government areas and area councils.
READ ALSO: Osun LG: Oluwole Oke urges Adeleke to honour court ruling
“I appreciate the deep love for peace and unity as demonstrated by the PDP Chairmen and councillors… Your patience and support for the law has paid off,” he said.
Adeleke also lauded security agencies for their role in maintaining law and order in the state, while warning against those attempting to destabilise the peace.
“Evil plots against our dear state on all fronts have been foiled. We must continue to remain peaceful and never allow agents of violence and enemies of the people to drag the state into violence and backwardness,” the governor stated.
However, the Osun APC, in a statement signed by its Legal Adviser, Adegoke Ogunsola, pushed back strongly, warning the PDP against what it described as an incitement of the public. The APC contends that only the Supreme Court can give a definitive ruling on the matter.
“The acts of mischief unleashed by the Governor and his party stem from the Court of Appeal’s decision on 13 June 2025, which refused to relist an appeal by the APC and Allied People’s Movement (APM),” the statement read.
The APC insisted that the Court of Appeal’s earlier judgement delivered on 10 February had already reinstated its chairmen and councillors, overturning the decision of the Federal High Court which had invalidated the October 2022 elections.
It called on the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, and other relevant authorities to ensure that the legal rights of its members are respected.
The party also issued a strong warning: “Any attempt by the government of Governor Adeleke and its PDP desperadoes to unleash mayhem as they did on 17 February 2025 — which led to the unfortunate assassination of Honourable Remi Abass and six other APC members — shall be vehemently resisted legally and may lead to a breakdown of law and order.”
The situation in Osun State remains tense as both parties stand firm on their interpretations of the court rulings, each claiming legal and moral high ground.
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