By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has described as unconstitutional and illegal the continued seizure of the local government secretariats in Osun State by former chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
HE insisted that the self-awarded tenure of that party’s local government chairmen in the state expired on October 22, 2025, and that such tenure cannot be extended under the Constitution or by any Supreme Court precedent.
He maintained that while he respects local government autonomy, such autonomy does not permit unelected APC chairmen with expired mandates to forcefully occupy council secretariats or illegally handle public funds in violation of state laws.
His words,, “Local government autonomy is not equal to unjustifiable seizure of local government funds meant to pay local health workers, teachers and pensioners. I have continued to pay these workers because autonomy does not mean inflicting avoidable hardship on the people.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, a day after his statewide broadcast—where he accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of complicity in what he described as the rule of force across Osun local governments—Governor Adeleke insisted that those currently occupying the councils have neither mandate nor lawful tenure and must vacate the secretariats immediately.
Responding to opposition reactions, the governor reaffirmed that “the self-awarded tenure, which was illegal from the beginning, came to an end last year,” questioning the authority under which APC politicians continue to occupy local government councils.
“If we are truly practising democracy, unelected people cannot lay claim to local governments or tamper with public funds. In a functional democracy, no one can elongate their tenure by even a day without consequences,”
Adeleke also faulted the continued security cover allegedly provided to the APC officials, noting that their admission that their tenure had lapsed and their decision to seek judicial elongation should have prompted immediate withdrawal of police protection.
“If you admit your tenure has lapsed, what are you still doing at the councils? Filing a case does not automatically extend your tenure, especially when the Constitution does not allow it. What we are seeing is a severe and criminal breach of the law,” he added.
The governor further accused United Bank for Africa (UBA) of violating state laws on the operation of local government accounts, alleging collusion with APC officials without mandates to open and operate council accounts.
“In a law-abiding society, a reputable bank will not violate clear provisions of the law which specify career officials as signatories to local government accounts. This matter is already before the court,” he said.
The Governor disclosed that his administration has reached out to the Presidency, alleging that the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is being used without his knowledge to justify illegality and impunity in Osun State.
“Inflicting suffering on local government workers is not politics; it is man’s inhumanity to fellow human beings. This must stop,” the governor declared.
APC Council Chairmen Reject Adeleke’s Claim, Insist Appeal Court Judgment Backs Stay in Office
Meanwhile, chairmen elected on the platform of the APC in Osun State have rejected Governor Adeleke’s claim that their tenure has expired, describing his position as contradictory and legally unsustainable.
Reacting through the factional ALGON Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Idowu, the council officials said it was surprising for the governor to now speak of “tenure termination” after previously insisting that they had no tenure at all.
“It is shocking to hear the governor now talk about tenure termination. From the beginning, he said we had no tenure whatsoever. So which tenure is he now referring to?” one of the chairmen queried.
The APC chairmen insisted that they remain in office based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, delivered on February 10, 2025, which they said validated their continued stay in office.
“As far as we are concerned, we won at the Court of Appeal on February 10, 2025, and we are relying on that judgment. Based on it, we are in our respective local governments,” the chairman stated.
They disclosed that the matter is now before the Federal High Court in Osogbo, seeking a definitive interpretation on whether the Court of Appeal judgment or any future ruling of the Supreme Court determines the status of their tenure.
“It is only when the court finally pronounces that we will know our true position. We are clearly aggrieved, and courts exist to resolve such matters,” he added.
The chairmen accused Governor Adeleke of using an executive order to remove them prematurely after they won their elections, insisting that only a competent court of law can determine the end of their tenure.
According to them, the case at the Federal High Court is scheduled for hearing on February 3, and until the court rules otherwise, their continued stay in office remains lawful.
“Our presence in the councils is legal, and the authorities are aware that we have been in office since February 10. We will remain until the court decides otherwise,” the chairman
The APC officials also dismissed claims that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola is involved in the dispute, stressing that local governments operate as an autonomous tier of government.
“Oyetola has nothing to do with this. If the governor has issues with him, he should address him directly,” the official said.
They further described calls by the state government for the release of local government allocations based on a Supreme Court ruling as misguided, insisting that the law clearly outlines procedures governing local government administration and finances.
