PDP, Accord Members Clash with APC Officials Over Osun LG Councils

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A fresh crisis has hit local government council secretariats across Osun State as members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and some elected officials under the platform try to take over the administration of the third tier of government in the state. The PDP officials stormed council secretariats on Friday with a view to take over but were put under control by security operatives at the secretariats.

The crisis started after a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo dismissed a suit by APC council officials who sought to determine whether their tenure started in October 2022 or February 2025. The suit was dismissed, saying no matter the interruptions in the tenure of the elected public officer after subscription to the oath of office, the expiration date of the said tenure remains the same as per the constitution or the statute.

According to the court, the Local Government (Administrative) Law & OSSIEC Law provide for a period of 3 years from the date of inauguration, which should be computed from October 2022 to October 2025. The evidence regarding interruptions of the said tenure due to the alleged violence is not capable of changing or extending the date of expiration of the said tenure from October 2025 to October 2028.

The Osun State Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, has warned concerned parties to remain calm and law-abiding, saying the police would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting the peace of the state. The command has been placed on heightened alert to ensure that law and order are maintained throughout the jurisdiction.

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, said the Federal High Court judgement has been appealed and an application for the stay of execution of the judgement is already before the court. Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola, who spoke for ALGON Chairman Samuel Idowu, disclosed that the fresh crisis was provoked by the conduct of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who sought police protection for the purportedly elected PDP officials and the withdrawal of the same from the APC officials when the judgement they relied on is already a subject of appeal.

The court judgement dismissed the suit by APC officials, saying their expiring date was October 2025, not October 2028.