Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed reports that the Court of Appeal reinstated sacked chairmen and councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022. He described the reports as “fake news” and emphasized that the APC officials who claimed to have occupied local council secretariats remained sacked by the Federal High Court’s order.
Adeleke clarified that he wasn’t responsible for the sacking, which occurred in October 2022, during his predecessor Adegboyega Oyetola’s tenure. He made this statement while briefing the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers in Osogbo.
The governor accused the APC of plotting to destabilize the state, claiming their “evil agenda” involved illegally taking over council secretariats based on a Court of Appeal ruling. However, Adeleke noted that the ruling lacked consequential orders or reinstatement provisions for the sacked chairmen.
Adeleke appealed to traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the controversy, warning against the dangers of “fake news” being used to destroy the state. The Chairman of the Osun Traditional Council, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, expressed concerns about the deadly violence caused by the crisis and called for peace from all parties.
In response, the APC accused Adeleke of disregarding the appellate court’s judgment, which reinstated the elected APC council chairmen and councillors on February 10, 2025. They also alleged that the governor was engaging in an abuse of court process.
The APC claimed that Adeleke was behind court suits instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government officials elected during the February 22 local government elections. They found it morally and legally offensive that the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Osun State chapter got involved in the partisan political matter.
The APC accused NULGE of supporting the allegedly illegally elected council chairmen and councillors, who weren’t recognized by law due to the Court of Appeal judgment. The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives.
Adeleke’s stance is clear: he won’t recognize the APC officials’ claims to the local council secretariats. Instead, he’s committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the sacked officials don’t regain power.
The APC, on the other hand, insists that the Court of Appeal’s judgment reinstated their elected officials. They accuse Adeleke of disregarding the court’s decision and engaging in abuse of court process.
As the standoff continues, concerns about violence and instability in Osun State persist. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for peace from all parties, emphasizing the need for calm and restraint.
The situation highlights the complex and often contentious nature of Nigerian politics, where conflicting interests and narratives can lead to instability and violence.
In the midst of this crisis, Governor Adeleke has reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Osun State’s interests. However, the APC’s accusations and the involvement of NULGE have added complexity to the situation.
Ultimately, a peaceful resolution to the crisis will require careful negotiation, compromise, and a commitment to upholding the law.
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