Osun LG election: APM pulls out, says exercise illegal

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has pulled out of the Osun State Local Government election slated for February 22nd, saying that the election is illegal and contempt of the court.

Citing the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which restored the sacked council chairmen and councillors to the office, the chairman of APM, Hon Adewale Adebayo, in a statement yesterday declared that his members would not participate in the election.

The APM recalled that the Court of Appeal recently reinstated council executives elected in 2022 at the twilight of administration of Adegboyega Oyetola. But, Governor Ademola Adeleke sacked them.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Friday declared that it would boycott the election because the positions at 30 councils were not vacant by verdict of the Court of Appeal, insisting that it is illegal to conduct fresh election.

Similarly, the APM maintained that it is illegal to participate in the election after the appellate court declared the local government seats wherein they want to conduct election were not vacant.

“In light of the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal on February 10th, which reinstated the sacked local government chairmen and councilors, APM has made the resolute decision to boycott the upcoming local government elections.

“We assert that any election taking place after this Court of Appeal verdict is illegal and fundamentally undermines the democratic process,” APM said.

According to APM, the reinstatement of the previously removed local government officials raised serious concerns regarding the legitimacy and integrity of any elections conducted thereafter.

The party admonished the government to heed the Court of Appeal’s ruling and to avoid any actions that could lead to civil unrest or anarchy, saying, “Local government is the closest service unit to the people, and it is crucial that it operates within a framework of integrity that respects the rule of law. The government must stop undermining local governance and allow for a legitimate process that truly reflects the will of the people.

“Our decision to boycott the February 22nd elections is made in the spirit of defending democracy and advocating for the rights of the citizens of Osun State,” APM said.