By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the recently passed Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Bill 2026 by Osun State House of Assembly, describing the legislation as unconstitutional and unenforceable.
The party has consequently called on the lawmakers to withdraw the bill, arguing that its provisions could create further disputes over the administration and management of motor parks across the state.
The APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, on Thursday, described the legislation as a “legislative harakiri” and a potential recipe for crisis.
The opposition party said the Assembly should reconsider the legislation rather than enact what it described as a law that could conflict with constitutional provisions governing the role of local government councils.
The Assembly had passed the Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Bill 2026, which seeks to establish an integrated framework for the registration, regulation, management and digital administration of commercial transport, traffic, motor parks, terminals, garages, loading points and related infrastructure in the state.
Among other objectives, the proposed framework provides for a digitalised ticketing system intended to eliminate multiple ticketing in motor parks, reduce the financial burden on transport operators, improve transparency and make revenue collection more efficient.
However, the APC said the legislation raised fundamental constitutional questions concerning the authority of the state government to directly regulate and manage motor parks.
According to the party, Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, recognises democratically elected local government councils and provides the constitutional framework for their existence and functions.
The APC argued that the state legislature should therefore be cautious about enacting legislation that, in its view, could encroach on functions constitutionally assigned to local government councils.
The party maintained that the proposed law could face legal challenges if its provisions were interpreted as transferring powers belonging to local government councils to the state government.
The APC further argued that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke should not seek to achieve through legislation what it had previously attempted to pursue through executive action in relation to motor park management.
It recalled that the governor’s earlier proposal involving motor park management had generated opposition from the APC, which said it resisted what it considered an inappropriate government intervention in the sector.
The opposition party said the Assembly should instead focus on enacting laws that would promote effective governance without creating additional legal or administrative disputes.
The party said it was particularly concerned about the possible consequences of implementing a law whose constitutionality could subsequently be challenged in court.
“The state lawmakers are hereby reminded that there is no point in becoming an instrument to the birth of a law that is not enforceable as it is a glaring recipe for the disturbance of public peace in the state,” the statement said.
The APC argued that disputes over control of motor parks had already contributed to tension among transport unions and other stakeholders in the state, and warned that unclear or contested administrative arrangements could worsen the situation.
It therefore urged the lawmakers to reconsider the legislation in the interest of peace and stability in Osun.
The party said the House of Assembly should be concerned with producing legislation that would provide clear and legally sustainable solutions to challenges facing the state rather than creating what it described as avoidable conflicts.
The APC further argued that although state governments and governors have at various times intervened in the administration of motor parks or the activities of transport unions for security and administrative purposes, such interventions, in its view, must remain within constitutional limits.
It claimed that judicial decisions in Nigeria had addressed disputes concerning state intervention in local government functions and the administration of motor parks.
However, the precise constitutional validity of any Osun legislation would ultimately depend on the wording of the enacted law and judicial interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions. The Supreme Court has continued to determine disputes involving the constitutional status and powers of local governments, underscoring the importance of the specific facts and legal provisions in each case.
The APC maintained that where a state law is inconsistent with the Constitution, the Constitution takes precedence by virtue of its supremacy.
It consequently urged the Osun State House of Assembly to “beat a retreat” by withdrawing the bill rather than proceeding with a law which the party believes could be challenged.
The party said immediate withdrawal of the legislation would, in its view, be the most appropriate step in the interest of peace and effective administration of the transport sector.
“In our own view, as an important stakeholder in the Osun State project, we consider the immediate withdrawal of the bill by the state lawmakers as the most honourable and dignifying action to be taken in the overall interest of corporate peace in our state,” the statement said.
The APC’s position comes against the backdrop of recent tensions and disputes surrounding the management of motor parks in Osun, with the state government seeking a more structured system for transport administration.
While proponents of the legislation have presented the proposed integrated system as a means of improving regulation, digitalising ticketing, reducing multiple levies and bringing greater order to motor park administration, the APC has raised questions about the constitutional basis and practical enforceability of the framework.
The party’s latest statement is therefore expected to add another dimension to the ongoing debate over how motor parks should be administered and how the interests of government, local councils, transport unions, operators and commuters should be balanced.
The APC urged the lawmakers to reconsider the bill and avoid creating a legal framework that could become the subject of prolonged litigation or fresh confrontation among stakeholders.
