Osun PDP and APC Clash Over Legal Status of Local Government Chairmen

Political Tensions Rise as Parties Trade Accusations

Tensions escalated in Osun State on Wednesday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in a heated exchange over the legal status of local government chairmen and the role of the judiciary in the ongoing political standoff.

PDP Accuses APC of Misrepresentation

The Osun PDP issued a strongly worded statement accusing the APC of misrepresenting court rulings to falsely claim that its sacked council chairmen had been reinstated. The party also alleged that the APC was engaging in a campaign of judicial blackmail to regain control of local government councils.

Hezekiah Olabamiji, the PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, stated, “There is no judgment reinstating the sacked chairmen. The judgment of the Federal High Court sacking them still stands.” He dismissed the APC’s claims as “lies from the pit of hell” and urged the judiciary to remain firm against what he described as “desperation and blackmail.”

Olabamiji further warned that the continued occupation of council secretariats by the former officials was illegal, suggesting that some APC leaders could soon face contempt of court charges.

APC Fires Back, Accuses PDP of Judicial Manipulation

The APC swiftly countered, accusing the state government of attempting to mislead the courts through an ex-parte motion aimed at blocking federal agencies from disbursing funds to the embattled council officials.

Kola Olabisi, APC’s Director of Media and Information, claimed that the court rejected all reliefs sought by the Osun State Government and instead ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the matter is heard on June 4, 2025.

“The court, sensing the bait planted in the reliefs sought, refused to grant any of them. The PDP-led government is attempting a judicial coup,” Olabisi said, accusing the state administration of bypassing due process to secure favorable judgments.

Conflicting Court Rulings Fuel Political Standoff

Both parties have cited different court rulings to support their positions. The PDP references a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the tenure of the APC-led local government administration, while the APC points to an Appeal Court ruling dated February 10, 2025, which it claims affirmed the officials’ legitimacy.

The legal and political tug-of-war has intensified uncertainty over the leadership of Osun’s local government councils, raising concerns over judicial independence and the future of grassroots governance.

Full credit to the original publisher: The Herald