The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of engaging in “executive rascality” and undermining the rule of law following a Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated APC local government chairmen and councillors.
At a press briefing held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Ileri-Oluwa Campaign Office in Osogbo, former Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere, claimed the state government had resorted to judicial manipulation and non-state actors to frustrate the court’s decision delivered on February 10.
“In the last two months, Osun State has witnessed executive recklessness and judicial abuse aimed at sabotaging a valid judgement of the Court of Appeal,” Akere said.
The APC alleged that Governor Adeleke’s public remarks on February 16—where he stated he could not guarantee the safety of the reinstated officials—sparked a wave of violence that left seven people dead, including Remi Abbas.
Akere further claimed the government financially induced the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to withdraw services across the 30 councils and the Modakeke Area Office, paralyzing public services.
He also accused the Adeleke administration of erasing the legacy of the previous government by removing commissioning plaques from primary health facilities and replacing them with new ones bearing the governor’s name.
Warning of an alleged plan to obtain a mandamus order from an Osun State High Court in Ikirun on April 17, the APC said the goal was to enable what it called “illegally-selected PDP chairmen” to forcefully take over council secretariats.
Akere claimed that political thugs disguised as Amotekun operatives were being prepared to carry out these attacks under the pretense of executing court orders.
He warned that such actions would be in direct defiance of a superior court ruling and could plunge the state into chaos.
“The judiciary must not become a political tool. We are watching closely and will not hesitate to petition the National Judicial Council over any further judicial rascality,” he stated.
Akere appealed to federal security agencies to intervene and urged the governor to seek redress at the Supreme Court if unsatisfied, rather than “laying the foundation for crisis.”
In response, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the allegations as baseless blackmail. He insisted the governor had not initiated any legal action and had advised PDP council officials to maintain peace and respect the law.
He accused the APC of trying to avoid the consequences of occupying council offices illegally, saying, “The APC is facing three lawsuits over its invasion of local government secretariats. Governor Adeleke has no hand in these court cases.”
Rasheed said the lawsuits were filed by the PDP-aligned ALGON, the NULGE, and the All Peoples Party (APP), which accused the APC of contempt for ignoring a previous court judgement.
“The APC’s claims of a plot to use violence are imaginary. Rather than respecting the rule of law, they are engaging in propaganda to cover up their illegal actions,” Rasheed said.
He urged the APC to face its legal battles in court and stop dragging the governor into what he termed “self-inflicted political injuries.”
As tensions mount, observers are calling for calm and urging all parties to respect the judiciary and democratic institutions to prevent further instability in the state.
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