Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has stated that the People’s Democratic Party has no reason to appeal the recent Court of Appeal ruling regarding the state’s local government crisis.
He emphasized that the judgment did not include any consequential order that would justify further legal action.
Speaking to traditional rulers in Osogbo on Thursday, Governor Adeleke affirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding democracy and restoring peace in the state.
He clarified that the court ruling did not call for the reinstatement of the chairpersons from the APC-led administration, making an appeal to the Supreme Court unnecessary.
The governor further referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers State local government elections, which he argued reinforced the nullification of the disputed Osun local government elections.
“I have commenced stakeholders’ consultation to rebuild peace and enhance democratic normalcy in our state. I am meeting leaders and elders to highlight attempts by some elements to plunge our dear state into mayhem,” he said.
Adeleke expressed concerns about the unlawful actions of some individuals in the state, stating, “We are worried as a government because if you have a court judgment in your favour, there is a procedure for enforcement. The court has a process for enforcement. That process has no room for brigandry and self-help as the APC Yes/No chairmen are doing.”
He also questioned why the APC did not pursue an appeal when its chairpersons were ousted by a court decision, pointing out that their appeal had been struck out by the Court of Appeal.
Addressing the Akure Court of Appeal ruling, Adeleke stressed that the PDP had no grounds to appeal to the Supreme Court since no consequential order was made, and the court had dismissed the reinstatement request as an academic exercise.
The governor further underscored the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers State local government elections, saying it confirmed that the Osun local government elections were conducted in violation of the Electoral Act, rendering them null and void.
“The latest judgment of the apex court affirms that there is no legal ground for the Yes/No chairmen to continue to illegally occupy the secretariats,” Adeleke stated. He also reassured traditional rulers, saying, “Our royal fathers, you have all the facts before you. There is no reinstatement order as you can see.”
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, voiced concerns over the local government dispute. He stressed the importance of maintaining the long-standing peace and stability of Osun State, saying, “We are also not happy with the LG crisis in the state, we abhor violence and Osun is a peaceful state, a status that must be maintained irrespective of the issues in contention.”
