The Osun State Government has clarified that the Court of Appeal did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen, urging security operatives to arrest anyone attempting to disrupt peace in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 10, 2025, the government addressed the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which dismissed the originating summons filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the validity of the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
The court ruled that PDP’s case was premature since the notice of the election had not been published by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) before the suit was filed.
However, the government emphasized that another case filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against OSSIEC, INEC, and other parties led to a ruling by the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/103/22.
This judgment, delivered on November 30, 2022, by Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel, nullified the election, declaring it unconstitutional and in violation of the Electoral Act 2022.
The court ruled that all individuals occupying local government offices due to the election were removed.
The government noted that the Court of Appeal had affirmed this decision on January 13, 2025, making it the only valid judgment.
“There is no judgment restoring the sacked local government chairmen. Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and misleading,” the statement read.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the state government directed security agencies to take decisive action against troublemakers.
“We urge security operatives to arrest and prosecute anybody, no matter how highly placed, who attempts to disrupt the peace of our dear state,” said Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.
Local government administrators were also advised to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to council secretariats.
“Any attempt to force entry into local government offices should be reported immediately to security agencies,” the statement warned.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a fresh local government election as scheduled on February 22, 2025.
