The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for Saturday, February 22. The party’s decision follows a recent judgment from the Court of Appeal, which reinstated its chairmen and councillors previously removed from office. The withdrawal has come amid rising tensions between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the implications of the court ruling.
In a letter dated February 17, 2025, the APC informed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) of its decision to pull out of the elections. The letter, signed by Alao Kamorudeen, the APC State Publicity Secretary, referenced the Court of Appeal judgment of February 10, 2025, which reinstated the APC local government chairmen and councillors. This judgment effectively nullified the earlier Federal High Court ruling that had removed the APC officials.
The letter reads: “Recall that judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on Feb. 10 by Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and 3 others V. Peoples Democratic Party and others. By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the Appeal Court. The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment is that the seats are no longer vacant.”
The APC argued that, due to the reinstatement of its local government officials, the February 22 election was unnecessary, superfluous, and unlawful. Therefore, they made it clear that both the party and its candidates would not be participating in the election.
The Court of Appeal’s judgment on February 10, 2025, has been a focal point of tension in the state. The judgment restored the sacked APC local government chairmen and councillors, who were initially removed following a previous court ruling in 2022. The judgment followed an appeal filed by the APC in Akure, challenging the Federal High Court decision that had voided the positions of the local government officials.
The Court of Appeal’s decision meant that the local government seats, which had been vacant following the sacking of the APC officials, were now deemed filled again, reinstating the chairmen and councillors to their positions. This ruling has had significant implications for the scheduled local government elections, with the APC arguing that the election was no longer necessary because its representatives had resumed office.
The PDP, on the other hand, disputes the ruling’s interpretation. The party claims that the judgment of the Court of Appeal did not restore the sacked APC officials, and that the seats should remain vacant until a new election is conducted. This difference in interpretation has sparked a major political standoff between the two parties.
The dispute between the APC and the PDP over the Court of Appeal ruling escalated into violent clashes earlier this week. Both parties have been laying claim to local government secretariats across Osun, and the rivalry has led to widespread unrest.
Reports indicate that at least six people have lost their lives in the violence, while several others have been injured. The clashes have further heightened the tensions in the state, as political supporters of both the APC and the PDP fight for control of the local government offices.
In response to the unrest, the Nigerian Police confirmed the deaths and injuries. Security forces have been deployed to the affected areas to restore peace and prevent further violence.
The political crisis between the APC and PDP over the Court of Appeal ruling is not just a matter of legal interpretation but is deeply rooted in power struggles and political control within the state. Osun has long been a battleground for both parties, with the local government elections often seen as a way to consolidate political power at the grassroots level.
In 2022, the APC had initially won control of the local government councils, but this was later challenged by the PDP, leading to the legal battle that resulted in the February 10 Court of Appeal ruling. The return of the APC officials to their positions has thrown the state’s political landscape into disarray, with both parties unwilling to back down.
The APC’s withdrawal from the upcoming elections adds another layer of complexity to the situation. By pulling out, the APC is signalling that it believes the reinstatement of its local government officials makes the election redundant. However, the PDP and other political observers argue that the election should proceed as planned, to ensure that the democratic process is upheld.