The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to halt the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025.
According to Fagbemi, a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure on February 10, 2025, had nullified a judgment from the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which had previously dismissed the local council chairmen from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The AGF explained that the appellate court’s decision had effectively reinstated the APC officials, whose positions had been vacated by the lower court ruling. He further argued that the restoration of the council chairmen’s tenure, which now runs until October 2025, meant that any attempt to conduct new elections would be unconstitutional and invalid.
The call to suspend the elections comes amidst growing unrest in Osun State, where violent clashes between members of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local councils have resulted in at least six confirmed deaths. Governor Adeleke, a member of the PDP, had previously warned that APC members, allegedly backed by security agencies, were attempting to seize control of council secretariats in the state.
Fagbemi also criticized Governor Adeleke for not intervening to quell the violence, urging him to fulfill his duty to maintain order in the state in line with his oath of office. He pointed out that despite the Court of Appeal ruling, which had reinstated the APC chairmen, Adeleke remained adamant about proceeding with the election on the scheduled date.
“The judgement of the Court of Appeal means the term of office of the elected officials has been restored and will continue until October 2025. Any election held now would not only be invalid, but it would also be a blatant violation of the Constitution, which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold,” Fagbemi emphasized.
The AGF also referenced a recent Supreme Court decision that reinforced the principle of local government autonomy, further solidifying the legal obligations surrounding the smooth transition of elected officials in the state.
As the tension in Osun State escalates, all eyes are now on whether Governor Adeleke will heed the AGF’s call to suspend the elections and avoid further confrontation.
