The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using state power to suppress opposition and disobey court rulings. The allegations come after a Court of Appeal ruling reinstated local government chairmen who were previously sacked by Adeleke’s administration.
In a statement released on Thursday, APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, warned that Adeleke’s actions could lead to political instability in the state. The party insisted that the court’s ruling must be respected by all parties, including the state government.
Olabisi noted, “The earlier Governor Adeleke realises that Osun State is governed by the law and not as an extension of his family estate in Ede, the better for him.”
The APC criticized the governor’s response to the court’s decision, arguing that his reaction showed a lack of commitment to democratic principles. The party maintained that there was no legal justification for holding fresh local government elections when the reinstated chairmen had already been declared legitimate by the court.
“It defies logic that any government would attempt to conduct elections when, in the eyes of the law, there is no vacancy in the local government system,” Olabisi noted.
Furthermore, the party accused Adeleke of interfering with the judiciary, insisting that court decisions should be upheld without political influence. The APC urged the governor to seek legal redress at the Supreme Court if he was dissatisfied with the ruling instead of making statements that could incite unrest.
“If the governor is not satisfied with the ruling, the appropriate step is to approach the Supreme Court, not to incite the public against a lawful judgement,” the party stated.
The APC also dismissed claims that its members were planning to create chaos in the state. Instead, the party alleged that members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been attacking APC supporters following the court ruling.
“Assuming without conceding that any group is planning to create unrest, Governor Adeleke should look within his party. PDP thugs have been attacking our members since Monday’s judgement,” the APC claimed.
The party further alleged that its supporters had been targeted across various parts of the state after the court decision in favor of the reinstated chairmen.
“It is unfortunate that Governor Adeleke, who became governor through the judiciary, is now undermining the same institution simply because a ruling did not favour his party,” the party added.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has denied the accusations and claimed that the APC was the one plotting to destabilize the state. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor accused the opposition of trying to disrupt the upcoming local government elections scheduled for February 22nd.
The governor described Osun as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria and criticized the APC for allegedly spreading false information instead of preparing for the elections.
According to Adeleke, a previous court ruling had already nullified the 2022 local government elections, which brought the reinstated chairmen into office. He insisted that the recent Court of Appeal decision did not override that ruling.
“The evil agenda is designed to create chaos and push for a declaration of a state of emergency. Security agencies have been directed to apprehend anyone involved in such a plot,” the governor stated.
Adeleke further assured residents that his administration was committed to maintaining peace and stability in the state.
“I have directed security agencies to secure the state and ensure peace is maintained. There is no legal basis for any group to take over local government offices illegally.
“Anybody who tests our resolve to sustain law and order in Osun State will have himself to blame. As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I am determined to deploy all available machinery to maintain peace and punish troublemakers.
“I also call on citizens and residents of the state to go about their normal activities without fear or intimidation.
“The government is on top of the situation. We are resolved to keep the state and the streets safe from anti-democratic elements,” he vowed.
