A heated dispute has emerged between Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state over the administration of local government councils. Both parties have traded strong statements regarding the legality of council officials currently occupying secretariats.
The APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, accused Governor Adeleke of spreading misinformation about the tenure of reinstated council officials. Olabisi claimed the governor’s broadcast was intended to mislead the public. He said, “It is untrue that the reinstated APC chairmen and councillors have been illegally occupying the council secretariats for about a year. Governor Adeleke should have admitted that he used executive power to remove legally elected APC officials when he assumed office, rather than misinforming citizens.”
Olabisi also highlighted that it was the Court of Appeal ruling on February 10, 2025, that reinstated the APC council chairmen and councillors, and there is no record of an appeal against this judgment. He added that claims by Governor Adeleke suggesting that the officials are seeking to extend their tenure are misleading, as the court case before the Federal High Court in Osogbo concerns the interpretation of the three-year tenure, not an extension.
In response, Governor Adeleke maintained that the tenure of the APC council officials had expired in October 2025 and described their continued presence in council offices as illegal. He emphasized that local government autonomy does not justify unauthorized control over public funds or the imposition of hardship on local workers, teachers, and pensioners.
“If we are truly a democracy, unelected officials cannot claim council offices or tamper with public resources. Filing a court case does not automatically extend your tenure. The constitution does not allow tenure elongation beyond its legal limit. The actions of the APC officials constitute a serious violation of the law and the constitution,” Adeleke stated.
He further urged that the police and other authorities should not provide cover for officials whose tenure had ended, asserting that only legitimately elected council leaders should assume office.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over local government autonomy and the legality of council officials’ tenure in Osun State.
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