Osun State is currently gripped by heightened political tension stemming from a controversial attempt to take control of its local government structures. The discord has escalated into a significant political standoff, drawing in security forces, political parties, and civil society, all amidst conflicting interpretations of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
The root of the current unrest traces back to the October 15, 2022, local government elections, where officials from the All Progressives Congress (APC) were elected. These officials were later sacked by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo in November 2022. However, the Court of Appeal in Akure overturned this decision on February 10, 2025, leading to claims by APC members that their elected officials should resume office.
The Osun State government, under Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has contested this interpretation, arguing that the appellate court’s decision did not explicitly reinstate the sacked officials. This legal ambiguity has fueled a tug-of-war over who rightfully holds the local government positions.
Following the court’s judgment, security has been markedly increased with armed police operatives taking strategic positions at local government secretariats across Osun State. This has been particularly noticeable in areas like Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo. The heavy security presence is aimed at preventing any breakdown of law and order, but it has simultaneously contributed to the palpable tension felt throughout the state.
Reports from the ground indicate that APC members attempted to resume their positions in several local government offices, notably in Boripe, where they succeeded, and in Olorunda, where they were met with resistance from PDP members. This has led to confrontations, with security forces, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Amotekun Corps, intervening to maintain peace.
Governor Adeleke has publicly warned against any unlawful attempts to reclaim office, emphasizing the need for peace and adherence to the rule of law. The state’s Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, has clarified that the court’s ruling did not mandate the reinstatement of the sacked officials, adding another layer to the ongoing debate.
Civil society groups, like the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance (CCSOGG), have raised concerns over what they describe as a plot by former Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to disrupt state peace by leveraging this legal confusion. They have threatened legal action against any attempts to forcefully take over local government offices.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter, has also directed its members in the local government to stay off work, citing safety concerns amid the political chaos.
This ongoing conflict not only threatens the stability of local governance but also underscores the broader issues of political rivalry and the interpretation of judicial decisions in Nigeria’s political landscape. The situation in Osun State is a microcosm of how legal rulings can lead to significant public and political unrest when misinterpreted or exploited by political factions.
As the state prepares for potentially fresh council elections, the resolution of this dispute will be crucial in restoring normalcy to local government operations and ensuring that governance at the grassroots level continues unhindered. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether dialogue, further legal action, or political maneuvering will prevail in bringing peace back to Osun’s local government system.
