Tensions Rise In Osun As Govt Refuses To Reinstate Sacked LG Officials, Security On High Alert

The Osun State Government has reiterated that the dismissed local government officials remain out of office, countering claims that the Court of Appeal had reinstated them.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This clarification follows the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on Monday, February 10, 2025, concerning the legal disputes surrounding the October 15, 2022, local government elections. The government assured citizens that the upcoming local government elections scheduled for February 22, 2025, will proceed as planned. Security agencies have been instructed to prevent any unlawful attempts by the sacked officials to reclaim office.

In a statement issued by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government emphasized that the recent court ruling did not validate the controversial elections. Instead, the case filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was dismissed on technical grounds, with the court ruling that the PDP’s suit was premature as it was filed before the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) officially issued an election notice.

Previous Court Decisions on the Disputed Elections

The statement also referenced a separate case filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), OSSIEC, and others. This case led to a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the October 15, 2022, local government elections.

In Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/103/22, delivered on November 30, 2022, Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel ruled that the elections were unconstitutional and violated several provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The judgment highlighted three key points:

1. The local government elections held on October 15, 2022, were declared unconstitutional, invalid, and null and void due to violations of the constitution and breaches of sections 28, 29, 32, 98, and 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.
2. All individuals occupying local government offices as a result of the elections were ordered to vacate their positions immediately.
3. Sections 25 and 26 of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2022 were struck down for contravening the Constitution and being inconsistent with sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act 2022.

The government emphasized that these rulings confirm the illegitimacy of the sacked officials’ positions and warned against any efforts to challenge this decision, stressing that law enforcement will act decisively against any attempts to disrupt public order.