Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in a heated dispute over allegations of a plot to destabilize the state following a court ruling on the ongoing local government crisis.
At a press conference on Sunday, Governor Adeleke accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of working with security agencies to enforce a court order reinstating local government chairmen and councillors who were elected under the APC.
Adeleke claimed the move was an attempt to cause unrest in the state and suggested that Oyetola was using his close ties to President Bola Tinubu to push the agenda.
“I called this press conference to alert the national and global audience about a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy in Osun State.
“I invite you all to expose a fascist, anti-democratic agenda designed to enforce a non-existent court judgment on our local governments,” Adeleke stated.
He argued that the ruling in question did not include a consequential directive and could not overrule an earlier judgment that led to the removal of the officials before he assumed office.
“The bone of contention is the brazen effrontery to reinstate council chairmen sacked by a subsisting court judgment using a different court decision, which has no consequential order.
“Let me make it clear that these officials were removed before I was sworn in as governor, contrary to claims that they were dismissed by my Executive Order,” he added.
Adeleke maintained that President Tinubu would not support any unconstitutional action that could disturb the peace in Osun State. He called on the Federal Government, judiciary, and the general public to step in before the situation escalates further.
In reaction to Adeleke’s claims, the Osun APC dismissed the governor’s accusations, describing them as an attempt to avoid legal procedures. The party advised him to take the matter to the Supreme Court if he was unhappy with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
The APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, denied any involvement of Oyetola in directing security agencies to enforce the ruling. He accused Adeleke of using blackmail instead of following proper legal channels.
“Oyetola has not instructed anyone, including security chiefs, on how to do their job. Adeleke should know that blackmail or sentiment will not change the court’s decision,” Olabisi stated.
He further argued that the APC-led local government officials were unlawfully removed in 2022 and had now been rightfully reinstated through the courts.
“The court has spoken, and those affected by Adeleke’s actions have been left out in the cold for too long. Now that justice has been served, as the leader of the Osun APC, Oyetola is committed to ensuring the ruling is implemented,” he added.
Olabisi also stressed that while the APC would continue to respect the rule of law, the party would ensure that the court’s decision was enforced.
“Court of Law has spoken, and the verdict must be obeyed. So, he should stop this blackmail because that will not work here. As for us in APC, we will remain law-abiding, but we won’t sleep on our right,” he concluded.
