There are indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will push for the withdrawal of statutory allocations to local councils in Osun State.
APC’s national publicity secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, dropped the hint on Sunday in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja.
APC expressed optimism that the Federal Government will make federal allocations for local governments available only “to democratically elected and judicially certified local government officials in Osun State.”
APC maintained that the people of Osun State deserve to live in peace and security, just as it called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to quit his “political infantilism” and uphold peace and constitutional order in the state.
APC described last Saturday’s council poll, conducted by the Governor Adeleke-led Osun State government, as nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional, and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever.
The APC contended that the exercise was a reckless waste of public funds and an irresponsible incitement to further violence in an already volatile atmosphere in the state.
“Governor Adeleke is under constitutional responsibility to respect and uphold the laws of our land, including giving effect to binding court judgments notwithstanding his personal or partisan political wishes or preferences,” it noted.
“As he was quick to issue an executive order sacking the local government officials based on the Federal High Court judgment of 2022, Governor Adeleke is under a clear constitutional obligation to similarly comply with the Court of Appeal judgment reinstating the same officials.
“The sensible and democratic remedy available to Governor Adeleke is to exercise his government’s right to appeal to the Supreme Court in the matter.
“Governor Adeleke bears a solemn duty to protect the lives and property of all citizens of Osun State irrespective of political differences.
“We urge Governor Adeleke to immediately end his illegal and anti-democratic push for a fresh local government election, and abide by the valid judgment of the Court of Appeal in the matter.”
APC thereby enjoined local government workers in Osun State to go about their duties peacefully and in line with the authority of the judicially reinstated chairmen and councillors.
It further called on the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the state, as may arise from “Governor Adeleke’s illegal and reckless actions.”
