The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-endorsed lawmakers in Osun State have come under fire from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for demanding that federal funds be made available to the state’s local government councils.
The APC claimed in a statement released by Kola Olabisi, the Director of Media and Information for the Osun APC, that members of the National and situation Assemblies who were associated with a PDP faction were lying about the situation of local government administration in Osun.
The response comes after Senator Lere Oyewumi and other PDP lawmakers challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the payment of federal allocations to council chairmen and council members they recognize during a news conference held in Osogbo on Saturday.
The APC claims that the lawmakers’ appeal ignores prior court decisions pertaining to council leadership.
The party insisted that those holding the positions under its platform were legally doing their jobs after being rehabilitated by court rulings.
According to the Court of Appeal’s ruling on February 10, 2025, the legitimately elected chairmen and council members have returned to their duties. The statement claimed that any attempt to characterize them as unauthorized occupants was an inaccurate portrayal of the situation.
The APC cited a December 2025 ruling from the Supreme Court that it claimed clarified the council leadership’s legal standing.
The party said, “The ruling of the supreme court is unambiguous regarding the identity of the legitimate officials.”
In response to accusations that APC officials were using police assistance to takeover council secretariats, the party said that security forces were carrying out their constitutional duty to uphold law and order.
The statement further stated that law enforcement organizations have an obligation to maintain order and abide by valid court rulings.
The APC further questioned the rationale behind the PDP parliamentarians’ vote of confidence in the state party leadership and Governor Ademola Adeleke, claiming that it had nothing to do with the legal concerns pertaining to council administration.
Elected officials should make sure that their public remarks are consistent with current court rulings. It said that judicial decisions are not superseded by political endorsements.
The party maintained that it would be a violation of the rule of law to allocate federal funds to any group other than those recognized by the courts.
It said, “We think the President will act in line with constitutional provisions and established judicial outcomes.”
Though it did not elaborate, the APC claimed that several lawmakers’ stances were inconsistent with regard to internal party dynamics.
It argued that adherence to court orders should not be confused with political disputes.
The party pointed out that suspects were presently on trial for the murder of Remi Abass, a local government chairman who had been reinstated in the Irewole Local Government Area.
According to the APC, “justice must be allowed to take its course in all matters before competent courts.”
In the best interests of the locals, the party encouraged Governor Adeleke to cooperate with the APC council representatives.
“Effective governance continues to require collaboration within the legal framework,” the statement continued.
