By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the federal government to withhold allocations meant for local government councils in Osun State until judicially reinstated elected officials assume office.
The party condemned last Saturday’s local government election in the state, accusing Governor Ademola Adeleke of violating his oath of office by conducting the polls.
APC also alleged that the governor and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were disrupting peace by refusing to comply with the February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal ruling that ordered the reinstatement of sacked elected local government officials.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka described the election as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
According to Morka, “The purported last Saturday’s fresh election conducted by Governor Adeleke and his PDP is nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever. The exercise was a reckless waste of public funds, and an irresponsible incitement to further violence in an already volatile atmosphere in the state.”
The APC spokesman noted that the appellate court in its ruling on February 10, 2025, overturned a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the election of APC-backed local government officials in 2022.
The Appeal Court declared the Federal High Court’s decision incompetent and ordered the reinstatement of the sacked officials until their term expires in October 2025.
Instead of complying with the ruling, APC accused Adeleke of proceeding with fresh elections in defiance of the court’s order.
Faulting the governor, Morka said his action was a “flagrant breach” of his oath of office and accused him of “reckless political provocation” that has already led to violent unrest and loss of lives in Osun State.
APC also frowned at the appointment of the caretaker committees to run local councils after dismissing elected officials in 2022, describing the action unconstitutional and a violation of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees democratically elected local government councils.
“Why is it so difficult for Governor Adeleke, who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, to abide by a valid order of the Court of Appeal?” the statement queried. “Why is the Governor so determined to incite anarchy in Osun State with impunity?”
The party then called on security agencies in the state to ensure law and order amid rising tensions.
While reiterating its commitment to the rule of law, the APC challenged Adeleke to seek redress at the Supreme Court instead of taking “unconstitutional shortcuts” that could further destabilize the state.
The party also urged Osun local government workers to continue their duties under the reinstated chairmen and councillors while calling for immediate compliance with the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
“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,” Morka insisted.