The political standoff over the control of local government councils in Osun State has intensified, with both the state government and the All Progressives Congress seeking the intervention of security agencies following a recent court judgment.
The latest twist came after a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on June 15 dismissed a suit filed by chairmen elected on the platform of the APC in the October 2022 local government election and declined their request for an extension of tenure.
Relying on the judgment, the Osun State Government has requested police protection for officials elected in the February 22, 2025 local government poll to facilitate their assumption of office.
In a letter dated June 18 and addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, counsel to the state government and the affected local councils, Oluwabusola Oluwaniyi, urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for the elected officials and ensure their smooth resumption.
The government also called for the removal of APC-backed chairmen currently occupying council secretariats across the state, arguing that the court had rejected all the reliefs sought by them, including requests to remain in office and orders preventing their removal.
According to the letter, Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed security agencies to safeguard council workers and support the resumption of officials elected in the 2025 exercise.
The government maintained that there was no subsisting order halting the enforcement of the judgment, stressing that the filing of an appeal alone could not prevent its implementation.
It argued that the Federal High Court dismissed the originating summons in its entirety and declined all reliefs sought by the APC chairmen.
However, the APC cautioned against any move to enforce the judgment while legal proceedings remain pending before the appellate court.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party alleged that members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Accord Party were mobilising to take over council secretariats across the state.
The opposition party called on the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant, insisting that the matter remained unresolved due to the appeal already filed by the affected council chairmen.
The APC argued that the commencement of an appeal process, alongside an application for stay of execution, should halt any attempt to enforce the judgment until the courts determine the pending applications.
The party further warned that any forceful takeover of council offices could heighten tensions and disrupt public order in the state.
Meanwhile, counsel to the APC chairmen, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), has formally notified the Inspector-General of Police of the legal steps taken by his clients.
In a letter dated June 17, Adegoke stated that a notice of appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on June 16, while a motion seeking a stay of execution was lodged before the Federal High Court on the same day.
Citing judicial authorities, the senior advocate urged the police to refrain from taking any action capable of enforcing the judgment until the appeal and stay application are determined.
He warned that executing the judgment while the matter remains before the appellate court could prejudice the ongoing judicial process and undermine the administration of justice.
The dispute has continued to generate tension in Osun State, with both sides laying claim to the legal right to occupy and administer the local government councils.
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