The leadership dispute in Osun State’s local governments escalated on Friday as chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resumed duties in several council secretariats across the state, despite opposition from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development followed a recent Federal High Court judgment in Osogbo, which dismissed a suit filed by APC chairmen elected in the October 2022 local government elections seeking clarification on the duration of their tenure.
PDP officials reportedly resumed work in council areas including Ede North, Ede South, Iwo, Boripe and Ila, with the state government maintaining that they are the legally recognised local government administrators.
Tension, however, was recorded at the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat in Osogbo, where security operatives prevented PDP officials from gaining access to the premises. Witnesses said a heated exchange occurred before discussions were held and the officials eventually left the area.
Speaking on the development, Osun State Governor’s deputy spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, said the PDP chairmen were acting in line with the court’s ruling and had every right to return to their offices.
According to him, the chairmen remain the legally elected local government officials and are expected to fully resume their responsibilities in the coming days.
The APC, however, rejected the PDP’s interpretation of the judgment. Addressing journalists in Osogbo, APC chairman Adegoke Ogunsola accused PDP officials of attempting to forcefully take over council secretariats.
Ogunsola disclosed that APC chairmen and councillors had filed an appeal against the judgment and also sought a stay of execution, arguing that the PDP officials were not parties to the suit decided by the Federal High Court.
He urged residents to remain calm and allow the legal process to continue, insisting that issues surrounding the tenure of the APC officials and the legality of the February 2025 local government elections are now before the Court of Appeal.
With both parties maintaining opposing positions, the dispute over the control of local government councils in Osun State appears set to continue pending further judicial pronouncements.
