A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has removed local government chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from office.
The court held that the tenure of the affected officials, which began after the October 15, 2022 local government elections, expired in October 2025.
The officials had returned to office in February 2025 and had continued to oversee the affairs of their respective local government councils.
The suit was filed by the chairmen and councillors, who asked the court to determine the commencement date and duration of their tenure following their swearing-in on October 25, 2022.
They also sought an extension of their stay in office.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi ruled that the tenure of the local government officials had already lapsed in October 2025 and subsequently dismissed their claims.
The suit listed several respondents, including Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Attorney-General and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission.
Following the judgment, counsel to the affected officials disclosed that an appeal had already been filed at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, challenging the decision.
The lawyer also revealed that an application had been filed seeking to prevent any action that could disrupt the activities of the affected chairmen and councillors while the appeal is being considered.
Reacting to the judgment, Governor Adeleke said the ruling affirmed the constitutional position on the tenure of local government officials and maintained that they no longer had any legal basis to remain in office beyond the stipulated period.
The governor also directed that police protection attached to the affected council officials be withdrawn.
The Osun State Government further insisted that the February 2025 local government election conducted by the state electoral commission remains valid and lawful.
However, the opposition maintained that the judgment raises questions about the legitimacy of that election.
Meanwhile, the legal team representing the removed officials argued that the ruling does not resolve all the issues in dispute, adding that the appeal would determine whether the lower court properly handled the matter brought before it.
