By our reporter
Akure, Nigeria – The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has ruled in favor of elected local government officials in Osun State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), upholding their appeal against the state government’s decision to dissolve them.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, overturned an earlier ruling that had validated the dissolution of the local government administrations by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. The decision marks a significant victory for the APC-led officials, who have been locked in a legal battle over the legitimacy of their tenure.
Reacting to the ruling, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen in Osun State, Akeem Olaoye, described the judgment as a triumph for democracy and grassroots governance. “This victory is not just for us but for the rule of law. It reaffirms that elections and constitutional provisions must be respected,” he said.
The legal dispute began in November 2022 when Governor Adeleke, upon assuming office, announced the dissolution of all local government executives elected under his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola. The action was challenged in court by the affected officials, who argued that their removal violated constitutional provisions and due process.
Monday’s ruling means the officials are now legally recognized to continue their tenure unless overturned by a higher court. However, the Osun State Government has yet to respond officially to the judgment, leaving the next course of action uncertain.
Legal experts suggest that the state government may proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision, while political analysts predict that the ruling will have significant implications for the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
