Osun APC Chieftain, Hon. Sunday Akere, Urges PDP to Comply with Court of Appeal Ruling

 

Hon. Sunday Akere, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information in Osun State, has called on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to respect and comply with the ruling of the Court of Appeal. He made this appeal in Osogbo during a media chat with Distinct News Online.

Akere recalled that in 2022, shortly before the end of the administration led by Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, a local government election was conducted in Osun State. However, approximately one or two weeks before the PDP assumed power, the party, along with other opposition groups, challenged the election in court. They filed a case before the Federal High Court, despite the fact that, according to the Nigerian Constitution, the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction over local government matters.

He remarked that, whether rightly or wrongly, the PDP was able to secure a judgment from the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which annulled the local government elections conducted by the Oyetola administration. In response, the APC pursued the matter at the Court of Appeal in Akure, which, on 10th February 2025, ruled in favour of the APC, affirming that its elected chairmen and councillors were the legitimate officeholders.

Despite this ruling, Akere accused the PDP-led administration in Osun, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, of proceeding to conduct another local government election, an action that allegedly led to a crisis, resulting in loss of lives. He claimed that APC chairmen, upon attempting to assume their rightful positions, were attacked by PDP supporters.

"As a party, we are law-abiding and do not believe in taking the law into our own hands," Akere stated. "Instead, we have called on the Attorney General of the state to comment on the judgment, as similar situations have occurred in Edo State."

He further urged the PDP in Osun to adhere to the rule of law and abandon the practice of only respecting judicial decisions that are in their favour.

Additionally, Akere appealed to local government employees in Osun to return to their duties, emphasizing that political conflicts should not interfere with their work.

"We have met with their leaders in Osun, yet they remain reluctant to resume their duties. We will explore all possible means to ensure that they return to work," he concluded.