APC to Tinubu: Don’t release allocation to Adeleke’s controversial LGA chairmen

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has sharply criticized the swearing-in of newly elected local government officials by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, calling the act a political provocation and a direct violation of a valid Court of Appeal judgment.

The party, however, called on federal ggovernmentto ensure that federal allocations to Osun’s local governments be directed only to those officials who are democratically elected and judicially reinstated in line with the law.

In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, the APC accused Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of deliberately disregarding the rule of law and the authority of the courts.

The statement said: “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 party reiterated that the Court of Appeal, on February 10, 2025, had handed down a ruling that reinstated local government officials who had been removed by an executive order from Governor Adeleke. The Court of Appeal’s judgment was described as “valid, subsisting, and binding,” and the APC called on the governor to respect it.

The statement signed by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, elaborated on the legal situation, explaining that the Court of Appeal had nullified the judgment of a Federal High Court from November 2022, which had originally invalidated the local government officials’ election.

The court had ordered the reinstatement of the officials until the end of their term in October 2025, effectively striking down any actions by the state government to appoint caretaker committees.

“The APC exercised utmost respect for the adverse decision of the Federal High Court and demonstrated mature restraint,” the statement read. “We did not resort to violence or self-help, but diligently pursued our appeal until the Court of Appeal rightly restored the legitimacy of the local government officials.”

The APC’s statement questioned why Governor Adeleke and the PDP were ignoring the ruling of the appellate court. It also asked why the governor was allegedly inciting unrest in the state, highlighting the fragile peace in Osun following recent tensions. The party further criticized the new local government elections as a “disgraceful sham,” labeling it illegal and unconstitutional.

The APC’s national publicity secretary condemned the actions as a waste of public funds and a reckless attempt to fuel violence in an already volatile state.

He also pointed to the ongoing security concerns, calling for the state’s police and security agencies to remain alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The statement ended with a call for peace in Osun State and a demand for Governor Adeleke to stop what it described as his “illegal and anti-democratic push” for fresh elections, urging him to comply with the Court of Appeal’s order.