The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made it clear that the ousted Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Osun State have no legal grounds to force their way back into office. According to the party, the Appeal Court’s verdict has sealed their fate, leaving no room for further debate.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Monday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned the affected politicians against any attempt to reclaim their positions, emphasizing that such actions would be futile and could lead to serious consequences.
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in deceptive tactics and stirring chaos in Osun State after realizing it has lost political relevance. Ologunagba alleged that APC members have resorted to misrepresentations, violence, and even killings to create instability.
He reminded the opposition party that the courts had already nullified the previous administration’s attempt to impose its loyalists as local government officials, branding the move as unconstitutional. According to him, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC should have accepted defeat after losing the July 16, 2022, governorship election rather than trying to manipulate the system to hold onto power at the grassroots level.
“The APC is solely responsible for its predicament,” Ologunagba declared. “Disregarding the Constitution and the Osun State Local Government Election Laws was a reckless gamble bound to fail.”
He also condemned APC’s alleged efforts to drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government into a matter that is purely within the jurisdiction of the Osun State government. He reiterated that Nigeria operates a federal system where states have full authority over local government elections, making APC’s attempts to invoke presidential influence baseless.
“If the APC truly believes it has popular support in Osun State, it should prepare for the upcoming local government election rather than clinging to false hopes and inciting violence,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP went further to accuse APC-sponsored thugs of killing some youths in Osun State, calling on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The party expressed strong disapproval of the violence and urged Osun residents to remain law-abiding.
PDP also reaffirmed its confidence in Governor Ademola Adeleke’s leadership, applauding his commitment to life-changing projects and policies that directly benefit the people of Osun State. The party called on citizens to support Adeleke’s administration and get ready to participate in the upcoming local government elections, urging them not to be distracted by APC’s alleged attempts to disrupt the state’s peace and stability.
