By Onyeanya Ebere
The controversy surrounding the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Akure, led by Justice Peter Obiorah, on the application to relist an appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State, continued on Saturday, with both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), offering contrasting interpretations of the ruling.
The court on Friday dismissed an application by the APC seeking to relist an earlier appeal that had been struck out on January 13, 2025, for lack of diligent prosecution.
Delivering judgment virtually, Justice Obiorah held that relisting the appeal could cause judicial confusion, declaring the application lacked merit.
The legal battle stems from a suit originally filed by the All Peoples Party (APP), against the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, challenging the legality of the October 15, 2022, local government elections, which featured only APC candidates.
The Federal High Court later nullified the election, prompting the APC to appeal the judgment. That appeal was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution, and the latest effort to relist it has now also been dismissed.
Following the ruling, both factions of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), one backed by the APC and the other by the PDP; have issued conflicting interpretations.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Abiodun Idowu, the APC-backed ALGON insisted that the Court of Appeal’s ruling did not return the PDP to power in the council areas.
“As the legally elected authorities in the 30 local governments and area offices in the state, we wish to reassure the public that there is no vacancy in the local government administration in Osun State,” Idowu stated.
He added, “The Appeal Court ruling only reaffirmed the February 10, 2025, judgment which reinstated the chairmen and councillors elected on October 15, 2022. We urge the public to ignore the blatant misinformation being circulated by the PDP regarding the Akure Appeal Court verdict.”
Idowu further assured the public that local government administration remains intact, urging their members to continue official duties and confirming that security agencies have been alerted for protection.
However, a counter-statement from the PDP-backed ALGON, chaired by Mr. Sarafadeen Awotunde, whose members emerged from the February 21, 2023, local government election; asserted that the appellate court ruling has conclusively resolved the legitimacy of local government leadership in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the good people of Osun. Their mandate, given to PDP chairmen and councillors across the 30 local government councils, remains intact and is recognised by law,” Awotunde declared.
He added that the June 13 judgment from the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the nullification of the October 15, 2022, LG election held under the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
“I call on the APC, their so-called chairmen, and supporters to respect the rule of law and accept their fate,” Awotunde said.
“I also commend Governor Ademola Adeleke for maintaining peace in the face of provocation.
“We must avoid needless loss of lives and property over control of the local government system, the Appeal Court has spoken.”
