Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has issued a directive to the Inspector General of Police, demanding that security details be withdrawn from local government chairmen aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move follows a Federal High Court ruling in Osogbo that invalidated the tenure elongation bid of those officials.
Speaking to reporters in Osogbo on Monday, the governor highlighted that the court had thrown out an application seeking to extend the chairmen’s tenure, determining they had no legal basis to bring the suit forward. The ruling, he argued, aligns with constitutional mandates and prior Supreme Court judgments that prohibit tenure extensions.
Adeleke applauded the newly elected council chairmen, asserting that the court’s decision confirms their legitimate authority. According to him, the dismissal of the elongation request upholds the Constitution and reinforces the Supreme Court’s stance against unconstitutional tenure extensions.
The governor explicitly called on the Commissioner of Police to cease security provisions for what he described as an illegal occupation of council secretariats by the ousted chairmen. He urged all law enforcement agencies to facilitate the smooth takeover by elected officials.
In addition, Adeleke addressed the United Bank for Africa (UBA), insisting that the bank discontinue any collaboration with the former chairmen concerning local government accounts. He referenced an affidavit previously sworn by the bank, affirming that all disputed local government funds were safe.
“UBA must guarantee that every kobo of local government revenue is protected and properly accounted for. Authorized signatories as prescribed by law should be permitted to manage these accounts to ensure workers receive their pensions and other benefits,” the governor stated.
Turning to a separate ruling from a Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the deregistration of certain political parties, Adeleke described the judgment as a direct challenge to an earlier order from the Court of Appeal. He revealed that his legal team had already initiated actions to contest the ruling, noting that the appellate court had stayed proceedings in the matter until October.
“We are taken aback that the lower court went ahead to decide on a case that the higher court had already addressed,” he remarked.
Despite the setback, the governor reassured citizens that the judgment would not hinder his political platform from participating in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15. “The ruling cannot hold; Accord will be on the ballot, we will be on the ballot, and we will achieve a resounding victory on August 15,” he declared.
Adeleke also stated that the opposition’s attempts to derail his reelection bid have not succeeded, and he announced that his campaign flag-off rally would take place on Tuesday. He called on supporters to turn out in large numbers, emphasizing, “We shall not be swayed. Our focus remains on winning. With God’s grace and the people’s backing, continuity will triumph on August 15.”