Osun Local Government Caretaker Chairmen And Members Resign Following Supreme Court Ruling

Osun Local Government Caretaker Chairmen And Members Resign Following Supreme Court Ruling

Four hundred and one chairmen and members of caretaker committees overseeing Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in Osun State have collectively resigned from their positions……. CONTINUE READING 

Among those who resigned are 69 caretaker chairmen and 332 caretaker members, representing each ward within the state. The resignation letters of the chairmen began circulating on social media on Wednesday, although specific reasons for their decision were not disclosed.

In one such letter obtained by PUNCH, Adewale Adeyinka, the caretaker chairman of Odo-Otin Local Government Area in Okuku, cited a desire to explore other avenues for serving his constituents as the motive behind his resignation. Addressed to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and dated July 17, 2024, Adeyinka’s letter expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead while pledging ongoing support for local development efforts.

Commenting on the mass resignation, Sarafadeen Awotunde, former chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Osun State, affirmed that all 69 caretaker chairmen and 332 members had indeed stepped down. He explained that their resignations were prompted by a Supreme Court ruling declaring their positions illegitimate.

Awotunde clarified, “Since they were termed caretakers, the appropriate description is that they resigned. They were not dismissed. Caretakers hold temporary roles, and their time has expired. Legally speaking, any continued reference to caretaker status is now invalid following the Supreme Court’s decision.”

Osun State comprises 30 local government areas, 32 local council development authorities, 6 area councils, and one administrative office. The most recent caretaker committee appointments were made by Governor Adeleke in August 2023 and extended for six months in February 2024.