Osun APC council officials removed as Federal High Court rules their tenure expired in October 2025, prompting appeals and political reactions

The Federal High Court in Osogbo has removed the local government chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, ruling that their tenure expired in October 2025.

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Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi delivered the judgment in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, dismissing a suit filed by the affected officials seeking an extension and clarification of their tenure.

The Osun APC Council Officials had returned to the council secretariats in February 2025 and had continued to administer local government affairs across the state following their election during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

The claimants approached the court to determine when their tenure officially commenced, arguing that they were prevented from functioning after taking the oath of office on October 25, 2022.

In her ruling, Justice Demi-Ajayi held that the tenure of the elected council officials had ended in October 2025, effectively terminating their continued occupation of the local government offices.

The suit was instituted by Saheed Onibonokuta, Gbolahan Ayegbayo, Elugbaju Olayera, Mufutau Adegbite, Olanrewaju Balogun, Fatai Adeyemi, Kamoli Isola and Elliot Adeyemi on behalf of themselves and other elected chairmen and councillors.

Responding to the judgment, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke described the decision as being consistent with constitutional provisions governing local government administration.

Adeleke also argued that the court found the claimants lacked the legal basis to institute the action and maintained that any tenure they possessed had already lapsed.

The governor subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to direct the Osun State Police Command to withdraw security protection from the affected officials and prevent what he described as the illegal occupation of council secretariats.

However, the Osun APC rejected the implications of the ruling. In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party argued that the judgment also raised questions about the validity of local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission on February 22, 2025.

Meanwhile, counsel to the affected officials, Muhydeen Adeoye, disclosed that his clients had already filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division.

According to Adeoye, the notice of appeal filed on June 16 raises six grounds challenging the judgment, including an allegation that the lower court determined issues that were not directly placed before it for adjudication.

He further revealed that the appellants had filed a motion seeking an order restraining the respondents from interfering with the chairmen and councillors pending the determination of the appeal.

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The latest ruling adds another chapter to the prolonged legal and political dispute over local government administration in Osun State, with the matter now set for further judicial review at the appellate court.