The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has welcomed the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, which dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s attempt to relist its appeal against the nullification of the controversial local government elections.
The appeal, originally filed by the APC, was struck out earlier for lack of diligent prosecution. The party had sought to revive the case, but the court rejected the request on Friday.
In a swift reaction, the PDP described the ruling as a vindication of its long-standing position that the APC’s legal maneuvers were baseless and politically motivated.
PDP State Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, in a statement,hailed the ruling as “a triumph of truth and justice over wishful thinking and irritating grandstanding.”
The party stated that the law is clear on Nigeria’s electoral processes, which it said were flagrantly violated by the previous APC-led administration in the state.
Bisi commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his calm leadership, and praised the resilience of PDP-elected chairmen and the people of Osun State in the face of what he described as “the APC’s unrestrained desperation and lawlessness” — actions he said contributed to political unrest and avoidable loss of lives.
He also applauded the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for organizing the lawful local government elections on February 22, 2025, which ushered in the current PDP chairmen.
The PDP further criticised the APC for attempting to legitimise what it called a “deeply flawed and illegal” election conducted by the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola after its defeat in the 2022 governorship election.
“The 2022 local government elections were a gross violation of Nigeria’s electoral laws,” the statement read. “It is alarming that the APC expected the courts to validate such a blatant abuse of the democratic process.”
The party warned that the APC’s actions pose a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law. It urged relevant authorities not to allow further attempts to undermine constitutional order in Osun State.
