APC, Makinde clash over Osun LG elections

The controversy surrounding the recently conducted local government elections in Osun State has deepened, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde trading accusations over the legitimacy of the polls.

APC Calls for Withholding of Federal Allocations

In a statement on Monday, the APC urged the Federal Government to withhold allocations to Osun’s local governments, citing what it described as an “illegal constitution of council heads” by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, insisted that the election conducted on February 22, 2025, was unconstitutional and violated a Court of Appeal judgment that had reinstated the previously sacked APC-elected officials.

“The Court of Appeal nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment and reinstated the sacked local government officials until their term expires in October 2025. Governor Adeleke’s so-called election is a disgraceful sham and a waste of public funds,” Morka stated.

The APC warned that the swearing-in of newly elected chairmen and councillors could incite further violence in an already volatile state.

Makinde Warns APC: ‘Don’t Turn Osun into the Wild West’

Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected chairmen, condemned the APC’s actions, urging the party to respect the rule of law and avoid plunging Osun into crisis.

“We don’t want a return to the Wild West era. The APC must follow legal processes rather than resorting to self-help. Federal might is no longer a tool for suppressing democracy,” Makinde warned.

He was joined by Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed, in calling for peaceful governance in Osun.

Governor Adeleke: ‘We Are on the Right Side of the Law’

Governor Adeleke defended the elections, stating that they followed due process and were conducted in line with the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission’s (OSIEC) regulations.

“We are satisfied that we are on the side of the law. The electoral body followed all extant rules and procedures leading to the emergence of these chairmen and councillors,” he said.

However, Adeleke advised the newly elected officials to avoid forcefully taking over the local government secretariats, promising to rely on the judiciary for a peaceful transition of power.

With both parties standing their ground, the Osun local government election crisis remains unresolved, with potential legal battles and political tensions ahead.