Members of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused the Osun State Government of deliberately stoking tensions over the control of local government councils in the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Osogbo, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola alleged that the state government misinterpreted a recent judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo in a manner capable of causing public disorder.
Ogunsola explained that the suit, filed on September 12, 2025 by reinstated APC chairmen and councillors, sought the court’s interpretation of the commencement date of their tenure under Osun State laws. He added that the case was dismissed on June 15, 2026.
According to him, the dismissal of the suit did not amount to validation of the local government elections allegedly conducted on February 22, 2025, as being claimed by the state government.
He said the government and its supporters had misrepresented the ruling, leading to tensions across parts of the state.
Following the judgment, the APC leaders also criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s request for police protection for individuals he described as elected local government officials, describing the move as embarrassing and capable of escalating tensions in the state.
Ogunsola further disclosed that the matter has already been appealed, adding that an application for stay of execution was filed on June 16, 2026, and served on all relevant parties, including security agencies.
He argued that those seeking to assume control of the local government councils were not parties to the original suit and insisted that no enforceable order had been issued in their favour.
According to him, “the judgment of the Federal High Court is already subject of appeal, with an application for stay of execution filed and served on all parties involved.”
Ogunsola also cited portions of the judgment which, he said, indicated that the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors runs from October 2022 to October 2025, regardless of interruptions or disputes.
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He maintained that any attempt to enforce a contested interpretation of the ruling could plunge the state into crisis and urged security agencies to act with caution.
The APC and ALGON leaders called on residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and go about their lawful activities, stressing that no valid court order currently authorises any takeover of local government secretariats pending the outcome of the appeal.
While commending security agencies including the police, DSS, and NSCDC for maintaining peace in the state, they warned that any breakdown of law and order arising from the dispute would be attributed to the actions of the state government.