Court Battle Looms In Osun as Elected Local Government Chairmen Challenge Secretariats Takeover
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The newly elected local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State have initiated legal action at the Osun State High Court, Ikirun Division, seeking the removal of the former administration’s Yes/No appointees who have forcibly taken over council secretariats across the state.
This lawsuit follows the results of the February 22, 2025 local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) under Barrister Hashim Abioye, which saw the election of new chairmen and councillors. However, the Yes/No chairmen, appointed during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in 2022, have resisted the transition and forcibly occupied the local government secretariats.
To prevent further unrest, Governor Ademola Adeleke has instructed the newly elected officials to refrain from confrontation and not to attempt reclaiming their offices until the legal matter is settled.
The elected officials, arguing that the occupation by the Yes/No chairmen is illegal, have turned to the judiciary, seeking their immediate eviction in accordance with Nigerian law.
The case also includes major security agencies as defendants, such as the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The court has set the next hearing for April 15, 2025, and approved a request for substituted service.
In a similar move, the Osun State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has filed a separate lawsuit at the Ilesha Division of the Osun State High Court. NULGE cites the unlawful occupation of the secretariats as a direct threat to the safety and operations of local government workers. The union is pushing for the immediate eviction of the former officials to ensure the protection of workers.
The case has been adjourned to April 17, 2025, with the court also granting substituted service.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged all parties involved to remain calm and exercise restraint, assuring the people of Osun that the courts will ensure the removal of those unlawfully occupying local government offices.
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