AGF Asks Adeleke To Stop LG Poll, Says A’Court Has Restored APC Chairmen

AGF Asks Adeleke To Stop LG Poll, Says A’Court Has Restored APC Chairmen

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has urged Osun State

Governor Ademola Adeleke to suspend the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Fagbemi, the justice minister, pointed out that the Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, annulled the Federal High Court’s judgment from November 25, 2022. According to the AGF, the appellate court’s decision effectively reinstated the All Progressives Congress (APC) local council chairmen who had been removed by the lower court’s ruling.

Violence erupted in Osun State earlier this week, with at least six people confirmed dead following clashes between APC and PDP members over control of local government councils. Prior to the violence, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns on Sunday about APC members, allegedly supported by security agencies, attempting to seize the council secretariats. As a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeleke also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution APC minister Gboyega Oyetola regarding the situation.

Fagbemi stated, “The judgment of the Court of Appeal has, by implication, restored the elected local government officials previously removed by the Federal High Court to their positions. Based on the information available to my office, the attempt by these elected officials to resume their duties was resisted by some disgruntled elements, leading to the violence.”

He continued, “Governor Ademola Adeleke, as the leader of Osun State, should have intervened to maintain law and order in accordance with his oath of office. Despite the Court of Appeal ruling, which effectively reinstates the elected officials with their term running until October 2025, Governor Adeleke has insisted on proceeding with the local government election on February 22, 2025.”

Fagbemi emphasized that holding such an election would be invalid, as the term of the restored officials would still be in effect until October 2025. He also warned that going ahead with the election would violate the Constitution, which Governor Adeleke is sworn to uphold.

He concluded by referencing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling affirming local government autonomy, further obligating Governor Adeleke to ensure a peaceful, orderly transition between elected officials according to their legally prescribed three-year term.