The genesis of the recent crisis in Osun State, which tragically resulted in the loss of several lives and widespread property damage, stems from a contested local government election held in October 2022. The All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in that election, with their elected chairmen and councilors duly sworn into office. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the election results in a Federal High Court, which subsequently nullified the election and removed the APC officials from their positions. The APC, respecting the rule of law, vacated the council offices while simultaneously appealing the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
In February 2025, the Court of Appeal delivered a judgment in favor of the APC, reinstating the elected local government chairmen and councilors. One of the APC’s prayers in their appeal was specifically for the reinstatement of the removed officials, a prayer the court granted. This effectively nullified the earlier High Court judgment. The PDP, however, contested the interpretation of the Appeal Court judgment, arguing that it didn’t explicitly order the immediate resumption of the APC officials. The APC countered that the court’s granting of their prayer for reinstatement was sufficient and that the PDP’s recourse should be to approach the Supreme Court or apply for a stay of execution if they disagreed with the ruling.
The APC chairmen and councilors, armed with the Appeal Court judgment and having provided the police with a certified copy, proceeded to resume their duties. This resumption, however, was met with violent resistance from the PDP. PDP supporters allegedly attacked the returning chairmen and councilors across several local governments, resulting in fatalities, including the chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Remi Abass. The APC condemned the violence, highlighting the PDP’s alleged history of resorting to thuggery and emphasizing that the correct legal course of action for the PDP would have been to appeal to the Supreme Court rather than resorting to violence.
The violence wasn’t limited to the chairman of Irewole Local Government. Other APC members and supporters were targeted across different local government areas, including a ward chairman in Ikoyi and the chairmanship candidate in Ilesa West. Houses were reportedly burned, and the Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority was attacked. The APC asserts that this violence was a deliberate attempt by the PDP to prevent the enforcement of the Appeal Court judgment and maintain control of the local governments. Despite the violence and obstructions, the APC maintained that the law was on their side and their officials would continue to perform their duties, emphasizing that no fresh swearing-in was necessary as they had previously been sworn in.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the PDP conducted another local government election shortly after the violence. The APC condemned this election as illegal, arguing that the positions were not vacant due to the reinstatement of their officials by the Court of Appeal. They viewed the PDP’s election as a sham designed to create a facade of legitimacy and usurp the legal authority of the reinstated APC officials. The APC maintains that their chairmen and councilors remain the legitimate office holders and have already resumed their duties, regardless of the PDP’s actions.
Looking ahead to the 2026 governorship election, the APC expressed concern over the escalating violence. They alleged that the 2022 governorship election, which the PDP won, was marred by violence, with over 20 of their members killed. The recent violence, they argued, is a continuation of this pattern. The APC expressed confidence in reclaiming Osun State in 2026, asserting that the PDP’s actions are driven by desperation stemming from their alleged reliance on local government funds. They believe that once the APC regains control of the councils, the PDP’s grip on power will weaken significantly. The APC also pointed to public dissatisfaction with the PDP, citing the dismissal of workers by Governor Adeleke as a contributing factor to the growing discontent.
The PDP’s accusations of a contract scam against Prince Adeleke during the Oyetola administration were also addressed. Adeleke challenged the PDP to present their evidence to the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency instead of resorting to social media accusations. He expressed confidence in his innocence and welcomed any investigation. He framed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated, designed to discredit him. He maintained that the focus should remain on upholding the rule of law and addressing the violence that has gripped the state. He reaffirmed his belief that the APC would prevail in 2026, attributing the PDP’s actions to their increasing desperation and loss of public support.
