APC appeals Court ruling sacking Osun local government officials

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the removal of local government chairmen and councillors elected under its platform in Osun State, setting the stage for another round of legal battles over control of the state’s local councils.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, held that the tenure of the affected local government officials had expired and dismissed their request for an extension of office.

The suit was filed by some of the elected officials, who argued that their tenure should be extended because they were unable to fully perform their duties after being sworn into office following the October 15, 2022 local government elections conducted during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

However, the court ruled that the officials lacked the legal basis to seek a tenure extension, maintaining that their three-year term had expired in October 2025 in line with applicable laws.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the affected officials, Muhydeen Adeoye, confirmed that a notice of appeal had been filed at the Court of Appeal in Akure, challenging the decision on multiple grounds.

According to Adeoye, the appellants contend that the trial court determined issues that were not presented before it and failed to properly consider the reliefs sought by the claimants.

He disclosed that the appellants had also filed an application seeking an injunction to prevent any action that could affect the status of the council officials pending the determination of the appeal.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a victory for constitutional order and the rule of law.

The governor stated that the judgment reaffirmed legal provisions governing the tenure of elected local government officials and directed security agencies to take necessary steps to enforce the court’s decision.

The development has further heightened political tensions between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition APC in the state.

Also reacting, the Osun State chapter of the APC insisted that the legal battle was far from over, maintaining that the judgment would be challenged through all available legal channels.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also weighed in on the controversy, directing members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to secure council secretariats across the state amid concerns over possible clashes arising from the dispute.

The latest ruling represents another chapter in the prolonged struggle for control of local government administration in Osun State, a dispute that has generated conflicting court decisions, political disagreements, and heightened security concerns in recent years.

With the matter now before the Court of Appeal, attention is expected to shift to the appellate court’s interpretation of the tenure dispute and its implications for local government administration in the state.