The Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party-aligned Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has strongly condemned a protest staged by All Progressives Congress (APC)-elected council chairmen outside the Osun State High Court in Osogbo. The demonstration, held on Wednesday, was over an ongoing trial involving officials of a commercial bank linked to local government allocations, with the APC chairmen accusing the state judiciary and Governor Ademola Adeleke of flouting court orders. In response, the PDP-backed ALGON leadership dismissed the protest as inappropriate and disrespectful to the legal process.
In a statement issued on Thursday, ALGON’s chairman, Sarafa Awotunde, and secretary, Lukman Afolabi, described the protest as “embarrassing and disgraceful.” They rejected the APC chairmen’s claims that the judiciary had ignored legal directives, arguing instead that the APC leaders had themselves overstepped their mandate. According to the statement, the APC chairmen have been occupying council offices for approximately 14 months after their tenure officially expired in October 2025, continuing to collect funds meant for local government operations.
The protesters, led by Ejigbo Local Council Development Authority chairman Kolapo Olayanju, carried placards with messages like “Say no to disobedience of court orders” and “Disrespect for court judgements is an invitation to anarchy.” Olayanju accused the judiciary and Governor Adeleke of undermining the rule of law. However, ALGON questioned the legitimacy of the protest, suggesting that the APC chairmen were attempting to intimidate the judiciary. The group emphasized that if the chairmen truly believed in their legal position, they should allow the courts to resolve the matter without public demonstrations.
The dispute stems from conflicting claims over control of local government areas in Osun State, with officials elected in the October 2022 local government elections facing off against those elected in February 2025. The ongoing legal battle has created tension between the two factions, with each side asserting their legitimacy. ALGON accused the APC chairmen of obstructing democratic processes by remaining in power beyond their term and questioned why they chose to protest at the court premises rather than seeking legal redress through proper channels.
The situation highlights deeper challenges in local governance in Osun State, where political rivalries often spill into legal and administrative arenas. As the trial continues, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the judiciary will handle the case and whether it will set a precedent for future disputes. The outcome could influence how local government elections and transitions are managed across Nigeria.
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