APC Kicks as Adeleke Swears in New Council Chairs in Osun

APC Kicks as Adeleke Swears in New Council Chairs in Osun
JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Following the swearing in of “newly elected” local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted, tagging it illegal and unconstitutional.

Recall that the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) had announced the state’s ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates as winners of the 30 chairmanship and 332 councilors seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.

Adeleke at the swearing-in ceremony held on Sunday, at Government House, Osogbo, urged the chairmen to deliver on good governance in their respective local governments.

The governor, however, advised them to stay away from the council secretariats to avoid clash with the opposition party.

“An Osun State High Court has affirmed the vacancies in both the chairmanship and Councillorship positions in all the local government areas of Osun State before your elections on Feb. 22.

“We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats. Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he said.

While congratulating the chairmen and councillors, Adeleke urged them to deliver good governance to the people.

“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments.

“I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the PDP.

“As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developer and deliverer of dividends of democracy,” he said.

Adeleke commended OSSIEC for complying with all extant rules and procedures in the conduct of the elections.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for not allowing the state to be plunged into crisis during the elections.

“I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process,” he said.
Adeleke also thanked the people of the state for coming out en mass to cast their votes during the elections.

“To the good people of Osun State, I use this occasion to express my gratitude for your steadfast support for our administration,” he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who attended the inauguration, urged political stakeholders not to allow the state to degenerate into crisis “over a matter that can be resolved by the judiciary.”

“If anybody has a judgment, there is a procedure for enforcement of court decisions. It is illegal to resort to self help,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended by Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who is also the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

However, in a swift reaction to Governor Adeleke’s action, the APC through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka issued a statement on Sunday, describing the election as being in defiance of court rulings.

“In blatant disregard for the rule of law and a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal, Gov. Adeleke conducted the election on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025,” Morka said.

He recalled that the Court of Appeal ruling of February 10 reinstated Local Government officials dismissed by Adeleke’s executive order, with the decision striking down a Federal High Court ruling from November 2022.

According to Morka, the Court of Appeal’s judgment nullified the previous ruling and reinstated the officials until the end of their term in October 2025.

He further criticised Adeleke’s actions in appointing illegal caretaker committees, violating Section 7(1) of the Constitution, and argued that the APC showed restraint and respect for the court’s decision.

Morka questioned why Adeleke, who swore to uphold the Constitution, failed to abide by a valid court order and termed the election a “sham” that wasted public funds and risked inciting violence.

He stressed that the governor must respect the law and the rights of the Osun people, calling on local government workers to peacefully continue their duties under the judicially reinstated officials.

“Breaking news reports of the purported swearing in of “newly elected” local government officials by Governor Adeleke constitutes needless political provocation and a clear renewed threat to the peace and safety of lives in the state.

“We enjoin local government workers in Osun state to go about their duties peacefully and in line with the authority of the judicially reinstated chairmen and councillors. Further, we call on the Police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the state as may arise from Governor Adeleke’s illegal and reckless actions,” Morka said.

He however urged the Federal Government to ensure that only democratically elected and judicially certified officials receive local government funds in the state.

“In keeping with the rule of law, it is our expectation that the Federal Government will make federal allocation for local governments available only to democratically elected and judicially certified local government officials in Osun state.

“The people of Osun state deserve to live in peace and security. Governor Adeleke must quit his political infantilism, and uphold peace and constitutional order in the state,” he noted.