The ongoing political standoff over Osun State’s local government crisis has reached new heights, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading blame after a critical meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
For nearly six weeks, local government operations across the 30 local government areas and the area office have been brought to a halt, following a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urging civil servants to stay off duty due to concerns of unrest. The crux of the issue stems from a Court of Appeal ruling by the Akure Division, which upheld the victory of APC-backed officials elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
These officials had previously been dismissed by the Federal High Court in Osogbo on November 25, 2022. Despite this, APC-backed chairmen and councillors have returned to their posts, while local government workers have refused to resume their duties, further deepening the crisis.
APC Claims AGF Backing, PDP Disagrees
In a statement on Thursday, Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi accused the state government of attempting to manipulate the situation through its meeting with the AGF. Olabisi claimed that a powerful delegation sent by Governor Ademola Adeleke to brief the AGF on the state’s position had returned empty-handed, with the federal government reaffirming the legal legitimacy of the APC-elected officials.
According to Olabisi, the meeting’s outcome has sent shockwaves through the Adeleke administration, which has been controlling local government funds without duly elected officials in place. “Reports indicate that the outcome of the meeting has been a major source of worry for the Adeleke administration,” Olabisi said, urging the governor to accept that local government administration in Osun is now under the control of APC officials.
However, the PDP swiftly dismissed these claims, calling them baseless propaganda. Osun PDP chairman Sunday Bisi accused the APC of unlawfully seizing control of the local councils. Bisi insisted that the APC was misleading the public and ignoring the reality that its control over the councils was no longer sustainable.
PDP Fires Back: ‘APC’s Claims Are Lies’
Bisi strongly refuted APC claims that the court reinstated its officials, stressing that no court had validated their return to office. “At the beginning of this crisis, we warned the public about the illegality being perpetrated by the Osun APC,” Bisi said, pointing out that the APC was once again trying to revive an appeal that had already been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
The PDP chairman also accused the APC of misusing the name of the Attorney General to legitimize its disregard for the court’s ruling. “The documents presented to the AGF, including judgments nullifying the 2022 elections and compelling OSSIEC to conduct fresh polls in February 2025, are in the public domain,” he added, demanding that the APC answer why it was challenging a ruling it claimed was invalid.
No Resolution in Sight
As tensions mount between the APC and PDP, the local government workers continue to bear the brunt of the political crisis, with no clear path to resolution. With both parties digging in their heels, the people of Osun State remain caught in the crossfire, while the dispute threatens to delay essential governance at the local level.
