Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to suspend the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Fagbemi’s directive follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure on February 10, 2025, which nullified a previous Federal High Court judgment from Osogbo, delivered on November 25, 2022. According to the AGF, the appellate court’s decision effectively reinstated the All Progressives Congress (APC) local council chairmen who had been removed by the lower court.
The ruling has sparked violent clashes in Osun State, with at least six people confirmed dead since Monday as APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members fought over control of local government councils. Governor Adeleke had earlier raised concerns that APC members, backed by security agencies, were attempting to take over local council secretariats. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to caution one of his ministers, Gboyega Oyetola, over the escalating tensions.
Addressing the situation, Fagbemi stated: “Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Appeal had by implication effectively restored the elected Local Government officials removed by the Federal High Court back to their offices. According to the facts made available to my office, it was the attempt by the said elected officials to resume back in their positions that was resisted by some disgruntled elements, which led to the crisis.”
The AGF criticized Governor Adeleke for not upholding his oath of office by maintaining law and order in the state. He argued that since the appellate court ruling effectively reinstated the local government officials, their tenure, which is set to expire in October 2025, remains valid.
“Notwithstanding the judgment of the Court of Appeal referenced above, which in effect means that the term of office of the elected officials has regained currency and will naturally run out in October 2025, His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election shall be held on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025,” Fagbemi added.
The AGF further warned that any such election would be unconstitutional and invalid. He emphasized that Governor Adeleke must abide by the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy and allow a peaceful, legal transition from one elected administration to another.
“Any such election that may be held will not only be invalid since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgment of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 2025, it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold,” Fagbemi declared.
With tensions rising and legal disputes intensifying, the fate of the proposed local government elections remains uncertain.
