Tension in Osun as PDP LG chairmen move to reclaim councils

– Police warn parties against lawlessness.

By Shina Abubakar Osogbo

A fresh crisis hits local government council secretariats across Osun State following attempts by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and some elected officials under the platform to take over the administration of the third tier of government in the state.

It would be recalled that the APC council officials had approached a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo to determine whether their tenure started in October 2022 or February 2025, when they were reinstated by the Appeal Court as a result of the interruption of their tenure by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s executive order.

The court presided over by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi on Monday dismissed the suit, saying, ‘No matter the interruptions/interjections in the tenure of the elected public officer after subscription to the oath of office and oath of allegiance, the expiration date of the said tenure remains the same as per the constitution or the statute.

“In the instant case, 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 which culminated in the alleged killings of some of their members is not capable of changing or extending the date of expiration of the said tenure from October 2025 to October 2028.”

Following the judgement, some elected chairmen under the PDP, along with Accord party members, stormed council secretariats on Friday with a view to take over but were put under control by security operatives at the secretariats.

Among the councils affected are Olorunda, Ifelodun, Ede-North, Ede-South, Iwo, Ila, and Ifedayo local governments, while APC-elected officials resumed duty at some councils, including Boripe, Obokun, Oriade, and Ilesa-East local governments.

In Ifelodun and Iwo LGs, Mr Sarafa Awotunde and Halidu Suuti were seen on videos addressing supporters donning Accord face caps. Police personnel mounted the entrance gates, preventing access into the secretariats. The situation is similar in Ila, Ifedayo, and Olorunda local government secretariats.

Meanwhile, 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.

“To set the record straight, the judgment of the FHC that they want to utilise to enthrone themselves is subject to appeal with an application for stay of execution dated and filed on 16th June, 2026, and which has been served on the parties.

“The police that they wanted to use to enforce the wrong judgment are a party to the suit and are now aware of the appeal filed by the APC chairmen and councillors. The police have also been served with the motion for stay of execution.

“A party to an action is entitled to the right of appeal preserved by the Constitution, and once that party has appealed and filed a motion for stay of execution, all enforcement steps must be stopped,” he said.

Meanwhile, 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 Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individual or group that attempts to disrupt the peace or violate the law.

“The Command is closely monitoring the conduct, statements, and actions of all parties involved. It is pertinent to note that there is a legal, laid-down procedure for the execution of court judgements with due consideration to the right of appeal. The rule of law remains the foundation of our democratic society; therefore, all parties are enjoined to strictly comply with the established legal procedures when seeking to enforce judgements,” he added.

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