The newly elected local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State have taken legal action against the All Progressives Congress chairmen, whom the state government describes as “Yes/No local government officials.”
This move was announced in a press statement signed by Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in the state on Wednesday.
The state government noted that despite the conclusion of the February 22, 2025, local government elections—where the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission declared the Peoples Democratic Party victorious—APC chairmen have forcefully occupied council secretariats across the state.
“The elected officials, through the Osun State High Court, Ikirun Division, seek the removal of the ‘Yes/No’ chairmen and councillors, who were installed under the previous administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022,” the statement read.
The lawsuit also includes the Inspector-General of Police, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The matter has been adjourned till April 15, 2025, for an approved substituted service of the suit.
“Following the swearing-in of the elected chairmen, Governor Ademola Adeleke urged them to refrain from forcefully reclaiming the council secretariats to avoid political unrest. Instead, the matter was taken to court, which has scheduled further hearings for April 15, 2025, and approved substituted service for the suit,” the statement read.
In a separate suit, the National Union of Local Government Employees has raised concerns over the safety of its members.
“The Osun State chapter of NULGE has filed a separate lawsuit at the Ilesa Division of the Osun State High Court, citing concerns over the safety of its members due to the ongoing occupation.
NULGE argued that the presence of the ‘Yes/No’ chairmen and councillors poses a direct threat to local government employees.
The case has been adjourned till April 17, 2025, with substituted service also granted.
The crisis in Osun State escalated when the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SA), advised the state government to halt the elections.
The directive cited a ruling by the Akure Court of Appeal, which reportedly had implications for the electoral process. However, the Osun State government proceeded with the elections as scheduled.
As a result, the APC withdrew from the election after initially taking control of several local government secretariats across the state. Following the APC’s withdrawal, the Osun State High Court in Ilesa issued an order allowing the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to proceed with the elections.
This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the PDP, which remained in the race.
On February 22, 2025, the elections were held despite the ongoing legal disputes. The next day, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission declared the PDP victorious in all 30 local government areas of the state.
At a press conference, OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye announced that the election had recorded a 60% voter turnout, though opposition groups continue to contest this claim.
