Adeleke Vows Peaceful Resolution Amid Osun LG Crisis

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has pledged to pursue peaceful legal means to resolve the ongoing local government crisis in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday in Osogbo by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson.

Adeleke praised the recent judgement from the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which reaffirmed the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen and councillors.

According to the governor, “The APC chairmen and councillors were sacked by the court, which has affirmed the legitimacy of the PDP chairmen and councillors. Unlike the opposition, we are people of due process.”

He added, “The latest judgement is being served on all relevant stakeholders at the state and national level. Our expectation is a quick restoration of normalcy in line with the law.”

Adeleke also expressed appreciation for the patience and commitment to peace shown by the PDP chairmen and councillors across Osun’s 30 local governments and area councils since their inauguration.

“Your patience and support for the law have paid off,” he said.

The governor commended security agencies for maintaining law and order, as well as the residents of Osun for their peaceful conduct.

He warned, “Evil plots against our dear state on all fronts have been foiled. We must continue to remain peaceful and never allow agents of violence and enemies of the people to drag the state into violence and backwardness.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on June 13, the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, dismissed an application by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to relist an earlier appeal that was struck out on January 13 due to lack of diligent prosecution.

The ruling upheld a Federal High Court judgement that nullified the 2022 local government elections, which only featured APC candidates, thereby sacking the APC council chairmen and councillors.

APC, however, insists the ruling does not nullify the elections.

The dispute began when the All Peoples Party (APP) challenged the legality of the October 15, 2022, local government elections at the Federal High Court, with APC later joining the case and appealing the nullification decision.

The appeal was struck out in January for lack of diligent prosecution, and the Court of Appeal’s recent decision rejected APC’s effort to have the case reinstated.