The political landscape in Osun State has been fraught with tension as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has openly criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke's recent actions concerning local government leadership. The APC contends that the governor's appointment of new local government chairmen is both illegitimate and a direct violation of existing legal rulings.
The controversy stems from the October 2022 local government elections, during which APC candidates were elected as chairmen and councillors across various local government areas in Osun State. However, upon assuming office, Governor Adeleke annulled these elections, citing irregularities, and subsequently appointed caretaker committees to oversee the local governments.
This decision was met with legal challenges, culminating in a Court of Appeal ruling on February 10, 2025, which reinstated the sacked APC local government officials. Despite this judgment, Governor Adeleke proceeded to conduct fresh elections, resulting in the emergence of new chairmen affiliated with the People's Democratic Party (PDP). These newly elected officials were sworn into office, further escalating the dispute.
In a move that has intensified the controversy, the Osun State Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, issued a letter dated March 7, 2025, addressed to key federal authorities. The letter urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Accountant-General, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to recognize only the PDP-elected local government officials. The state government asserted that the APC executives from the 2022 local government election had been legally removed by a subsisting Federal High Court judgment.
The APC has vehemently opposed Governor Adeleke's actions, labeling them as a blatant disregard for the rule of law. In a statement released by the party's Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC described the PDP officials introduced by the state government as impostors, asserting that no lawful election produced them. The party emphasized that there were no vacancies in Osun local governments, given the Court of Appeal's decision to reinstate the APC officials.
Olabisi further accused Governor Adeleke of attempting to legitimize "illegally-selected" PDP local government chairmen and councillors, thereby undermining democratic principles. The APC called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Accountant-General, and the Central Bank Governor to disregard the state government's letter, characterizing it as a product of a "needless and illegitimate election."
The situation escalated when APC officials, bolstered by the Court of Appeal's ruling, attempted to resume duties in various local government secretariats. This action led to confrontations, notably in Irewole Local Government Area, where clashes resulted in casualties, including the death of Hon. Remi Abass, a former APC chairman. Governor Adeleke condemned these actions, describing them as a "rape of democracy" and accusing the APC of instigating violence to assert control over local government administrations.
In light of the ongoing crisis, the APC has urged Governor Adeleke to comply with the Court of Appeal's ruling reinstating the APC local government chairmen and councillors. The party emphasized that governance should prioritize democracy, truth, and due process, rather than political vendettas. The APC criticized the discord between Governor Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, describing it as detrimental to Osun's reputation for political wisdom.