FG Orders Osun Governor To Halt LG Elections

The Federal Government orders Osun State Governor Adeleke to halt LG polls after a court restored sacked officials, warning of it’s illegality.

The Federal Government has instructed the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to immediately stop the planned Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday.

Earlier in the week, a violent clash erupted in Osun State as different groups fought over the control of Local Government secretariats. Sadly, the incident led to the death of a former council chairman and left many others injured.

The state government blamed the violence on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite the tension, Governor Adeleke insisted that the election would go ahead as planned, urging citizens to come out in large numbers.

However, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, released a statement on Thursday, explaining the legal issues causing disputes between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He pointed out that the court had overturned the order that Governor Adeleke used to remove elected local government chairmen from office.

In his statement, Fagbemi said: “My attention has been drawn to the PUBLIC OUTCRY OF Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke concerning the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure division delivered on 10th day of February, 2025 in Appeal No CA/AK/272/2022 which nullified and set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, delivered on 25th day of November, 2022.”

He went on to clarify the background of the issue. According to him, during the tenure of the previous governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, local government elections were conducted, and winners were sworn into office. However, just a few days before Governor Adeleke took over power, a Federal High Court ruling nullified the election results and removed the elected officials.

Fagbemi explained that once Adeleke became governor, he immediately issued an executive order to remove the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees. But the APC, which was involved in the court case, appealed the decision.

He added: “Meanwhile, the APC that was a party in the Federal High Court case referred to above appealed against the judgement. The Court of Appeal eventually, on 10th day of February, 2025 delivered its judgement in the appeal filed by APC against the judgement of the Federal High Court. The Court of Appeal not only allowed the appeal, it also held affirmatively that the suit that resulted in the judgement of the Federal High Court referred to above was incompetent and consequently made an order striking out the suit.”

With the new ruling, the Court of Appeal effectively reinstated the previously removed local government officials. The Attorney General further explained that it was the attempt by these officials to return to office that led to the recent crisis in the state.

He added: “According to the facts made available to my office, it was the attempt by the said elected officials to resume back in their positions that was resisted by some disgruntled elements which led to the crisis. His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is no doubt aware of this scenario and ought, as a leader to have called the disgruntled elements to order in accordance with his Oath of Office to maintain law and order in Osun State.”

Fagbemi further emphasized that the tenure of the reinstated local government officials would not end until October 2025. Therefore, holding another election now would be invalid and a violation of the Constitution, which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold.

“Notwithstanding the judgment of the Court of Appeal referenced above, which in effect means that the term of office of the elected officials has regained currency and will naturally run out in October, 2025, His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election shall be held on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025. Any such election that may be held will not only be invalid since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgement of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 2025, it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold.”

He also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that strengthened local government autonomy, further proving that the governor should ensure a smooth transition from one elected official to another based on the legally set three-year tenure.

The Attorney General concluded by advising Governor Adeleke to instruct the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to cancel any plans of conducting a local government election at this time.

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