The political landscape of Osun State, Nigeria, is embroiled in a complex power struggle over the control of its 31 local government councils, stemming from a disputed local government election and subsequent court rulings. The controversy centers on the legitimacy of two sets of elected officials: those elected in October 2022 under the previous administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and those elected in a fresh election conducted in February 2025 by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) under the current administration. This dispute has paralyzed governance at the local level, with civil servants withdrawing their services amidst the escalating tensions between the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The heart of the conflict lies in the interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgment. The APC argues that the court ruling reinstated the chairmen and councillors elected in the October 2022 election. Conversely, the PDP and the state government maintain that the court did not provide such relief. This divergent interpretation led to OSSIEC conducting a new election in February 2025, which resulted in a new set of local government officials being elected. The clashing claims of legitimacy between the two sets of elected officials have fueled the ongoing political crisis.
The situation escalated dramatically in May 2025 when members of the APC, claiming reinstatement by the court, attempted to resume their duties at the local council offices. This move was met with resistance from PDP members, leading to violent clashes that resulted in fatalities, including the death of the reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government. Despite the violence, APC members successfully took control of council offices across the state the following week. However, the unrest and uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of the leadership have caused civil servants to refuse to return to work, effectively paralyzing local government administration.
The Chairman of OSSIEC, Hashim Abioye, has emphatically stated that the February 2025 election was conducted in full compliance with legal and constitutional provisions, and that no valid court order prohibited the election. He insists that only the officials elected in the 2025 poll have the legal and constitutional right to exercise management functions within the local councils. He further argues that the 2022 election, which the APC claims was reinstated, was actually nullified by two separate Federal High Court judgments, thus creating vacancies that were filled by the 2025 election. Abioye’s stance firmly underscores the official position that the current set of elected officials are the legitimate authorities in the local government councils.
Abioye’s assertions further emphasize the legal and procedural basis for the 2025 elections. He highlights that the previous election was deemed invalid by the Federal High Court, creating a legal vacuum that necessitated the subsequent election conducted by OSSIEC. He contends that all necessary legal procedures were followed, and the elected officials were duly declared, returned, and sworn in, solidifying their legal standing. This argument aims to establish the legitimacy of the 2025 election and the officials it produced, thereby challenging the claims of the officials elected in 2022.
The ongoing impasse in Osun State underscores the critical importance of resolving electoral disputes through legal and constitutional means. The current situation, characterized by violence, political stalemate, and disrupted local governance, highlights the potential consequences of unresolved electoral controversies. The Chairman of OSSIEC’s pronouncements, while seeking to clarify the legal position, have yet to fully quell the dispute. The continued absence of civil servants from their duties further complicates the matter and underscores the urgent need for a definitive resolution to restore stability and effective governance at the local level. The path to a solution remains unclear, with the potential for further legal challenges and political maneuvering. The ultimate resolution will significantly impact the future political landscape of Osun State and the delivery of essential services at the local government level.
