The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has announced its withdrawal from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22. This decision was outlined in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission.
The letter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Osogbo, explained that the APC’s withdrawal was due to the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated its council chairmen and councillors. The letter stated: “Recall that the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on February 10 by the Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and three others v. Peoples Democratic Party and others. By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed office as allowed by the Appeal Court.”
The APC further explained that the Court of Appeal ruling meant the local government seats were no longer vacant, making the upcoming election unnecessary and unlawful. As a result, the party officially informed the commission of its decision to withdraw from the election.
The situation stems from a dispute between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Court of Appeal’s judgment concerning the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors. While the PDP argued that the judgment did not reinstate the sacked officials, the APC insisted that the judgment confirmed their return to office.
Tensions escalated on Monday as both parties claimed control over local government secretariats, resulting in a crisis that led to the deaths of six people and injuries to several others, as confirmed by the police.
