The political landscape in Osun State has been thrown into uncertainty following a ruling by the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, which struck out a case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the 2022 local government elections on Monday.
The judgment has sparked conflicting interpretations from the All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC and the state government
The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Hashim Akintunde Abioye, in a press conference on Monday stated that the Court of Appeal dismissed the PDP’s case because it was filed before the official notice of the election was issued.
“The judgment only means that the PDP never legally challenged the election.”
Abioye clarified that a separate case filed by the Action Peoples Party, APP, had successfully nullified the election in November 2022.
“By virtue of the Federal High Court judgment, all local government seats remain vacant, and no order has reinstated any elected officials,” he added.
According to him, the judgment of the Court of Appeal does not prevent the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for 22nd February 2025.
“We urge the public to remain calm and allow the electoral process to take its course,” he advised.
However, the Osun State Government issued a statement reinforcing Abioye’s position, declaring that there was no court order reinstating sacked council bosses.
The government, in a statement by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, also warned against any attempts to disrupt peace in the state.
“The only valid judgment as of today is the one that nullified the election. We call on security operatives to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to forcefully occupy council offices.”
Alimi also directed local government administrators to prevent any unauthorized individuals from gaining access to council secretariats.
“Anyone attempting to enter any council office illegally should be reported immediately.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC in the state hailed the Court of Appeal judgment reinstating the elected council Chairmen and Councillors.
In a statement signed by Tajudeen Lawal, the APC chairman, the party lauded the Justices for a sound verdict delivered describing it as a welcome development.
The party acknowledged the tremendous contributions of the immediate past governor and the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who has been unilaterally financing the party particularly most of the litigations filed.
The party also acknowledged the implications of the judgment which has given the legal backing to the reinstated council officers to return to office with immediate effect.
According to Lawal: “It is worthwhile to commend the judiciary for always proving to be the hope for a common man as manifested in today’s judgment where the Justices of the Court of Appeal unanimously delivered the verdict reinstating the removed APC council Chairmen and Councillors.
“But today, we give thanks to God that light has subsumed darkness and we are victorious. The sound judgment unanimously delivered by the Justices of the Appeal Court is a clear testimony of the Osun people’s mandate willingly given to our party in all the 30 Local Government Council Areas and Ife-East Modakeke Area Office.
“We congratulate all the reinstated council Chairmen and Councillors over this judicial victory. We equally rejoice with the good people of the state for their resilience and support for our party throughout the the dark period. This is a victory for all”, Lawal added.
The Osun APC legal adviser, Adegoke Ogunsola also disagreed with the government’s stance. He argued that the Court of Appeal’s ruling effectively reinstated the previously sacked local government officials.
“The judgment nullified the Federal High Court’s decision that removed our elected chairmen and councilors. This means their tenure remains intact, and no new election should be conducted.”
Ogunsola accused the OSSIEC chairman and the PDP-led state government of misrepresenting the court’s ruling.
“Mr Abioye is deliberately misleading the public to justify an illegal election,” he asserted.
He further warned OSSIEC against proceeding with the planned local government polls.
“The Court of Appeal has spoken. There is no legal basis for a fresh election while the tenure of our officials is still valid,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state government has placed security agencies in the state on high alert.
The security agencies have been instructed to prevent any forceful takeover of local government offices and ensure the safety of citizens.
