Osun LG Crisis: ‘We Are Not Subjecting Ourselves to Rule of Law’ – Adetunbi
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, has accused political actors of undermining the rule of law despite subsisting court pronouncements on the crisis rocking local governments in Osun State.
Adetunbi, who is counsel to the Osun State Government in the dispute, said the standoff has lingered due to conflicting interpretations of judgments nullifying council elections conducted during the administration of former governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Speaking in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER in Ibadan, the senior lawyer described the situation as a man-made problem fuelled by abuse of public trust.
He also argued that the continued stay in office of the APC Yes/No Chairmen, stressing that there is no subsisting order for them to remain in office.
According to him, “Two separate judgments of the Federal High Court nullified the local government elections conducted under Oyetola. Out of the two judgments, one was set aside on the ground that the suit was filed prematurely. The other still stands. Yet some individuals insist they are entitled to remain in office.
“My question is simple: where is the subsisting court order authorising them to remain in office? The Federal Government went to the Supreme Court seeking direct payment to local governments. Has that been fully complied with nationwide?
“Apart from Osun, many states are yet to align with that decision. The issue of tenure elongation is still pending before the Federal High Court, so where is their legal authority to stay in office?” he noted.
Abiodun Ogunrinde is a Linguist and Journalist with considerable years of experience in Print Journalism. He blends creativity with a sense of reporting that addresses public concern and human interests.
