The political landscape in Osun State has grown tense as the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejects allegations from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and civil society organizations regarding the illegal occupation of local government secretariats by APC chairmen.
The Network of Civil Society Groups, led by convener Stephen Olanrewaju, has called for the current council chairmen to vacate their offices, claiming their tenures ended on October 26, 2025. They accused the Osun State Police Command of protecting what they describe as “illegal executives” and demanded that security personnel withdraw their support for these council chairmen.
Olanrewaju pointed to a Federal High Court decision in 2022 that nullified the local government elections conducted under the APC administration, affirming that the APC chairmen lacked a legitimate mandate. This ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in June 2025, yet the APC executives allegedly continue to occupy their positions.
He characterized the ongoing occupation of local government secretariats as “illegal and unconstitutional,” warning that such actions amount to political banditry.
The PDP’s Director of Media in Osun State, Oladele Bamiji, echoed these concerns, arguing that the APC chairmen’s claim to power is unfounded and demanding intervention from President Bola Tinubu to address the situation. He cautioned that the police’s involvement could jeopardize the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
In response, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi argued that the civil society groups lack understanding of the local government crisis. He asserted that the APC leaders are lawful occupants of their offices, citing a pending lawsuit that seeks to clarify the three-year tenure of the reinstated chairmen and councillors. Olabisi emphasized that claims of illegal occupation are misinformation.
The conflict highlights the escalating struggle for control over local government councils in Osun State and raises pressing questions about adherence to the rule of law, the constitutional order, and the role of law enforcement in political disputes.
