LG Crisis: FG Subverting Democracy In Osun – Rights Lawyer
A Constitutional and Human Rights Lawyer, Festus Ogun has condemned the role of the Federal Government in the ongoing Local Government crisis between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.
According to Ogun, the FG under the APC is subverting democracy in Osun, which he described as horrible for democracy.
The rights lawyer wrote this on his Facebook handle after featuring on Channels TV LunchTime Politics on Tuesday, where he shared his view on the ongoing LG crisis in the state.
He wrote, “Yesterday, I was on Channels TV to share my modest view on the ongoing local government crisis in Osun State. I feel so ashamed that we have to debate over this straightforward constitutional matter.
“We are not a country that prioritizes the rule of law.Tall and short of my submission is this: the APC purported “chairmen and Councilors” have no legal or constitutional basis to forcefully take over the local government council.
“They were sacked by the Court in the case of Action Peoples Party (APP) against OSIEC and others (including APC). That judgment in the APP case is valid and subsisting.
“The APC failed to prosecute the appeal earlier filed against the APP judgement and are bound by its findings. They attempted to relist the case after it was earlier dismissed for what of diligent prosecution.
“Again, the Court rightly dismissed their application to relist. What is more? I advise that the show of shame should end already. The FG under APC is subverting democracy in Osun State and that is a horrible sight for our tottering democracy.”
The PDP and the APC are currently embroiled in a tussle over the control of the LGs.
The APC relies on a recent Court of Appeal judgment, which reportedly nullified a high court judgment that removed the LG chairmen elected in 2022, shortly after their election.
While the APC clung to the appeal court verdict, the Adeleke-led PDP government went ahead to conduct a fresh LG poll in February 2025, which PDP candidates won, as the APC did not participate.
The political tussle over the LG has been bloody, with at least six lives lost.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees have since ordered workers to stay away from the LG secretariats for fear of being caught in violent crossfire.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
