Osun LG: Gov Adeleke urges police, UBA to recognise elected council officials

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called on the Inspector General of Police to direct the state police command to withdraw security protection from the All Progressives Congress (APC)-aligned local government chairmen, following a ruling of the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, Governor Adeleke said the court had dismissed an application seeking tenure elongation for the chairmen and ruled that they lacked the legal standing to institute the suit.

He said the judgment affirmed constitutional provisions and previous judicial pronouncements against tenure extension.

The governor also congratulated the duly elected local government chairmen, saying the ruling validated their position.

“The dismissal of the elongation request conforms with the stipulations of the Constitution. The judgment further validates the precedent set by the Supreme Court ruling that tenure elongation is unconstitutional,” he said.

Adeleke, who stated that the court held that the chairmen had no legal foundation to file the case and that any tenure they may have had expired in October 2025, subsequently urged the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw support for the chairmen.

“I specifically direct the Commissioner of Police to stop providing further security cover for the illegal occupation of the council secretariats by the sacked chairmen. All law enforcement agencies should support the restoration of elected council officials.”

The governor also called on the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to cease its collaboration with the affected chairmen regarding local government accounts.

According to him, “The bank had previously sworn to an affidavit affirming that all disputed local government funds remained intact.

“We insist that the UBA must ensure that every kobo of the local government fund is secured and accounted for. Signatories prescribed by law should be allowed to operate the accounts so that workers can receive pensions and other entitlements.”

The governor, while addressing another ruling delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja concerning the deregistration of some political parties, described the judgment as an affront to an earlier order of the Court of Appeal.

He said his legal team had already taken steps to challenge the ruling, noting that the appellate court had stayed proceedings on the matter until October.

“We are therefore surprised that the lower court proceeded to act on a matter already acted upon by the higher court,” he said.

Governor Adeleke assured residents that the judgment would not prevent his political platform from participating in the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15.

“The judgment cannot stand; Accord will be on the ballot, we will be on the ballot, and we will win resoundingly on August 15,” he stated.

The governor, who said attempts by the opposition to frustrate his re-election bid had failed, also announced that his campaign flag-off rally would hold on Tuesday.

While urging supporters to attend in large numbers, he said, “We will not be distracted. We remain focused on winning. By God’s grace and the people’s support, continuity shall prevail come August 15.”