By Our Reporter
The crisis in Osun has taken a new twist with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, calling on the Governor Ademola Adeleke, to rescind his decision to conduct Local Government elections in the state on Saturday.
According to a report from the Vanguard, the AGF, in a statement on Thursday, warned that going ahead with the elections would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The Attorney-General said that the Court of Appeal had in a recent judgement, reinstated all elected LG officials in the state that were illegally removed from office by governor Adeleke, stressing that consequently, the tenure of the restored officials would terminate in October.
He , therefore, called on governor Adeleke to allow peace reign by obeying the law concerning this matter.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to the PUBLIC OUTCRY OF Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke concerning the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure division delivered on 10th day of February, 2025 in Appeal No CA/AK/272/2022 which nullified and set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, delivered on 25th day of November 2022.
“It has become necessary to issue this public notice to remove doubts, fears and uncertainties created by misrepresentations and disinformation concerning the legal effect of the judgement of the Court of Appeal.”
“Putting matters in proper context, the event that led to the two judgements was that during the currency of the term of the former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, the election was held into all the local governments of Osun State and winners were sworn in.
“However, a few days before the swearing-in of Governor Adeleke, the Federal High Court Osogbo delivered the judgement referred to above in which it nullified the election of the Local Government elected officials and removed them from office.
“As soon as Governor Adeleke assumed office a few days after the judgement, he issued an executive order for the physical removal of the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees.
“Meanwhile, the APC that was a party in the Federal High Court case referred to above appealed against the judgement.
“The Court of Appeal eventually, on 10th day of February 2025 delivered its judgement in the appeal filed by APC against the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The Court of Appeal not only allowed the appeal, it also held affirmatively that the suit that resulted in the judgement of the Federal High Court referred to above was incompetent and consequently made an order striking out the suit.
“Accordingly, the judgement of the Court of Appeal had by implication effectively restored the elected Local Government officials removed by the Federal High Court, back to their offices.
“According to the facts made available to my office, it was the attempt by the said elected officials to resume back in their positions that was resisted by some disgruntled elements which led to the crisis.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is no doubt aware of this scenario and ought, as a leader to have called the disgruntled elements to order in accordance with his Oath of Office to maintain law and order in Osun State.
“Notwithstanding the judgment of the Court of Appeal referenced above, which in effect means that the term of office of the elected officials has regained currency and will naturally run out in October, 2025, His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election shall be held on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025.
“Any such election that may be held will not only be invalid, since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgement of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 20.”