- Recall that the APC withdrew from the poll, citing contradictions to an appeal court’s ruling.
- The APC urged Osun local government workers to serve under reinstated officials and called on security agencies to maintain order amid election tensions.
- The party also called on the federal government to ensure that federal allocations are made available only to democratically elected and judicially recognised officials in Osun state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state breached his oath of office and disregarded legal principles by conducting a local government election on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
The party asserted that the election should not have taken place due to an existing court of appeal ruling that restored the previously dismissed officials to their respective positions.
In a statement released on Sunday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, condemned Adeleke’s actions as a “wanton disregard for the rule of law” and a violation of the February 10, 2025, judgment.
The press release, titled “Adeleke Must Remedy Flagrant Breach of His Oath of Office,” stressed that the ruling reinstated the dismissed officials who had been removed by an executive directive from Governor Adeleke in 2022.
“To be clear, in its judgment, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the judgment of the Federal High Court and held that the suit was incompetent and was struck out accordingly.
“In effect, the Court of Appeal nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court and reinstated the sacked local government officials until the expiration of their term of office in October 2025. That is the valid, subsisting, and binding legal position on the matter,” Morka stated.
APC further denounced Adeleke’s decision to install “caretaker committees” after dismissing the officials in 2022, calling it unlawful and contrary to Section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates governance through elected local councils.
The party emphasised that, despite the federal high court’s unfavourable ruling in 2022, it chose to challenge it legally rather than resorting to forceful or unlawful actions.
It questioned Governor Adeleke’s refusal to obey the court of appeal’s verdict, pointing out that he has an obligation to adhere to constitutional mandates as an elected leader.
“Why is it so difficult for Governor Adeleke, who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, to abide by a valid order of the Court of Appeal reinstating the sacked local government officials?
“Why is the Governor and his PDP vehement on taking matters into their own hands in disregard of a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal?
“Why is Governor Adeleke so desperate and determined to incite anarchy in Osun state with impunity?” the statement queried.
The APC rejected the local government election held on Saturday, calling it a “nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional, and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever.”
The party further accused Governor Adeleke of misusing public resources and worsening the already tense situation in the state with his actions.
Emphasising that Adeleke is constitutionally required to follow the law, APC urged him to respect legal procedures and appeal to the Supreme Court if dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s decision.
“The sensible and democratic remedy available to Adeleke is to exercise his government’s right to appeal to the Supreme Court in the matter,” Morka asserted.
The statement also encouraged local government workers in Osun state to continue working under the reinstated officials while urging security agencies to ensure stability despite election-related tensions.
The party appealed to the federal government, asking it to allocate funds only to democratically elected and legally recognised officials serving in Osun State.
“The people of Osun State deserve to live in peace and security. Governor Adeleke must quit his political infantilism and uphold peace and constitutional order in the state,” the statement concluded.
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