The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has praised the Supreme Court’s decision to strike out a suit filed by the Osun State Government over the release of allocations to sacked local government chairmen. The minister described the ruling as a significant affirmation of constitutional order, democratic principles, and the autonomy of local government authorities.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola commended the country’s apex court for what he termed a “victory for democracy and the rule of law”.
The Supreme Court, in a 6–1 split judgment, dismissed the case brought by the Osun State Attorney-General, ruling that the state government lacked the legal competence to invoke the court’s original jurisdiction on behalf of its 30 local government councils. According to the court, local governments are recognised by the Constitution as autonomous entities and must therefore initiate such legal actions independently.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case revolved around the release of federal allocations to chairmen removed from office by the state government. The Osun administration sought to challenge the disbursement, but the court held firmly that the suit was procedurally defective.
Reacting to the verdict, Oyetola said the judgment clearly validates due process and reinforces the constitutional safeguards designed to protect democratic institutions.
“This ruling represents a victory for democracy and the rule of law,” he stated. “The Supreme Court has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to justice by refusing to endorse an attempt to subvert constitutional procedures for partisan ends.”
He added that the judgment “reinforces the autonomy of local governments as enshrined in our Constitution and sends a strong message that legal processes cannot be manipulated to achieve unlawful objectives”.
Oyetola, who served as Governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022, further stressed that the ruling should serve as a deterrent against future attempts to misuse judicial mechanisms for political motives. He urged the current state administration to respect judicial decisions and act in the broader interest of citizens.
He emphasised that good governance cannot thrive without strict adherence to constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements.
“Stable governance depends on respect for the rule of law,” he said, noting that the judgment offers an opportunity for the state government to realign its actions with constitutional expectations.
The Supreme Court verdict has continued to generate reactions across political lines, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading blame over the episode. However, Oyetola maintained that the focus should remain on strengthening institutions rather than escalating political tensions.
