Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered former local government chairmen and councillors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to vacate their offices immediately, citing their continued presence as illegal and defiant of court rulings. In a statewide broadcast, Governor Adeleke emphasized that these officials no longer possess legal authority to occupy the offices, having been removed through valid judicial processes.
The Federal High Court in Osogbo had nullified the APC-conducted local government elections in November 2022, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal on February 10 and reaffirmed on June 13, 2025. Following these court orders, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) conducted fresh local government elections on February 22, 2025. The newly elected chairmen and councillors were sworn in the next day, making them the legitimate occupants of local government offices in the state.
Governor Adeleke noted that even the APC officials acknowledged in court that their tenure elapsed in October 2025, and their recent attempts to seek tenure extension only underscore their lack of a lawful mandate. The governor accused the former officials of forcefully occupying the secretariats, allegedly with the support of armed police personnel acting on the instructions of former governor Gboyega Oyetola. He condemned reports of local government workers being assaulted and harassed upon attempting to resume duties, describing such actions as an abuse of power and a threat to democratic governance.
The governor called on residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration would uphold court judgments, restore legality at the grassroots level, and safeguard citizens. The situation highlights the ongoing political tensions in Osun State, with the current administration seeking to assert its authority and implement court rulings. As the state navigates this challenging period, the focus remains on upholding the rule of law and ensuring democratic governance. With the governor’s directive, attention will be on how the former officials respond and the measures taken to ensure a peaceful transition of power at the local government level.
