Appeal Court Ruling Triggers Fresh LG Power Tussle in Osun as APC, PDP Both Claim Victory
A major political crisis is brewing in Osun State following a Court of Appeal ruling in Akure that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claim as a victory in the ongoing dispute over control of local government councils.
On Friday, the Appeal Court ruled on a legal tussle concerning the legitimacy of local government elections conducted under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s APC administration. Both parties now interpret the ruling differently—each insisting it has the legal right to occupy the council secretariats across the state.
The PDP says the judgement supports its position and clears the way for its elected local government chairmen and councillors—who emerged victorious in the February 2025 elections—to resume duties on Monday. The APC, however, argues that the court reaffirmed its February 10, 2025 reinstatement, and its elected officials from the October 2022 election will continue in office.
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As both sides gear up for a faceoff at the various council secretariats, tension is rising across the state. Residents fear a repeat of the violent February clash that left several people dead, including the Irewole LG chairman, Remi Abass. Police authorities have promised increased security to prevent violence, but anxiety remains high—especially in areas near council secretariats.
The roots of the conflict go back to the October 15, 2022 local government election, held after Oyetola lost the governorship to PDP’s Ademola Adeleke. The Federal High Court in Osogbo later nullified the APC’s victory in that election, prompting Governor Adeleke to remove the APC officials. The APC then went to the Court of Appeal, which ruled in its favour in February 2025. Despite this, the state government refused to recognize them.
In February 2025, the PDP swept all 30 local government areas in fresh elections boycotted by the APC. Though the newly elected PDP officials were sworn in, Governor Adeleke advised them to hold off on assuming office until legal matters were resolved.
Friday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal has reignited the controversy. The Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said the court reaffirmed the nullification of the 2022 APC-led election, and therefore, the PDP officials are the rightful office holders.
“The judgement clearly states that the election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) under Oyetola was unconstitutional, null, and void,” Alimi said. “Those in office by virtue of that election have been sacked.”
However, the APC countered through its Director of Media, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, insisting the judgment does not overturn the earlier February 10 Appeal Court ruling that reinstated their officials. “There is nothing in Friday’s judgement that affects the binding decision of February 10,” Olabisi stated.
Local officials from both parties have doubled down. PDP’s Ifelodun LG Chairman, Sarafadeen Awotunde, declared that the judgment settles the matter and that APC officials should vacate their posts. But APC’s Ifedayo LG Chairman, Abiodun Idowu, insisted they remain legally in charge and called PDP’s claims “misleading propaganda.”
A senior APC chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that misinterpretation of the ruling could lead to chaos across Osun’s 30 LGAs. He urged federal security forces to be deployed before a full-blown crisis erupts, referencing the tragic events of February.
Legal experts are also weighing in. Barrister Dele Ajibade explained that although the APC won one appeal, it failed to pursue another related case brought by the Action People’s Party (APP), where the High Court had also nullified the APC’s victory. Since that appeal was dismissed, the High Court’s decision in that case still stands, effectively sacking the APC officials.
Political analyst Waheed Saka expressed concern about both parties twisting the judgment to fit their narratives. He urged them to take the matter to the Supreme Court for a final, authoritative ruling and cautioned against provoking fresh unrest.
As Monday approaches, the people of Osun are bracing for what could be another turbulent day in the state’s long-running political showdown.
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