The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the issue of withheld local government allocations in Osun State has sparked contrasting reactions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC and PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, have both claimed victory, issuing warnings to their supporters and opponents.
The Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, applauded the Supreme Court’s judgment, describing it as a reinforcement of the July 2024 ruling that affirmed financial autonomy for local government councils in the state. The party criticized the Osun State House of Assembly for passing the Local Government Accounts Administration Bill, 2025, shortly after the judgment was delivered, calling it “unconstitutional” and an attempt to undermine the court’s decision.
In contrast, Adebayo welcomed the ruling, offering a different interpretation of its implications. He stated that the verdict paved the way for PDP-elected chairmen to assume office and urged party members to celebrate the judgment peacefully. Adebayo cautioned against lawlessness and vowed to use legal means to ensure that PDP-elected council leadership assumed control of the local government areas without disruption.
The Supreme Court’s ruling struck out a suit filed by the Osun State Government seeking to compel the Federal Government to release withheld allocations to local governments in the state. A seven-member panel ruled six to one that the suit lacked legal competence. The APC and PDP have both claimed victory, with the APC stating that the rule of law had prevailed and the PDP seeing the verdict as a affirmation of their position.
The reactions from both parties highlight the ongoing tensions between the APC and PDP in Osun State. The Supreme Court’s ruling has significant implications for the state’s local government allocations and the balance of power between the two parties. As the 2026 Osun election approaches, the parties are likely to continue to interpret the ruling in ways that support their respective positions.
The Osun State House of Assembly’s decision to pass the Local Government Accounts Administration Bill, 2025, has also raised concerns about the legislature’s role in the dispute. The APC has questioned the speed with which the bill was passed, alleging that it was an attempt to undermine the court’s decision. The PDP, on the other hand, sees the bill as an attempt to weaken the authority of local government chairmen and councillors reinstated under the APC platform.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Supreme Court’s ruling will impact the balance of power in Osun State. The reactions from the APC and PDP highlight the ongoing tensions between the two parties and the significance of the ruling for the state’s local government allocations.
