The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, through its elected local government chairmen and councilors, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke before a Federal High Court, Osogbo over plans to appoint caretaker committees for the state’s 30 local government councils.
Last Wednesday, Adeleke, alongside the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced plans to appoint a local government committee during a stakeholders’ meeting at the party secretariat in Osogbo, hence they directed that nominees should be presented across 332 wards.
The elected chairmen and councilors across the local government councils were sworn into office last 15th October under the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. But a court nullified their election and they approached the Court of Appeal, Akure, Ondo State to challenge the judgement.
The embattled chairmen and councilors sought the relief of the court through an originating summon issued and served the defendants which comprised the state government, House of Assembly, Attorney General, Commissioner for Local Government, and two others.
It was stated that pursuant to Section 138(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act the elected chairmen and councilors have the right to remain in office pending the final determination of the suit number FHC/OS/CS/94/2022 which led to an Appeal number CA/AK/270/2022.
The plaintiffs, Onibonokuta Saheed and others in the summon stated that, “by the effect of provision under Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the decision/steps taken by the respondents to appoint caretakers for the Local Government Councils in Osun State while Appeal between All Progressives Congress & 3 Ors v. Peoples Democratic Party & 3 Ors is still pending is tantamount to disrespect and disregard to whatever pronouncement the Appellate court may make in the appeal and an infraction to the provision under Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022″.
