A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has sacked the chairmen and councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) from office in the state’s local government councils.
The court ruled that their tenure, which started after the October 15, 2022 local government elections, came to an end in October 2025.
The affected officials had returned to office in February 2025 and had been managing the councils since then.
The case was filed by the council chairmen and councillors who asked the court to determine the start and length of their tenure after they were sworn in on October 25, 2022.
They also sought an extension of their time in office.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi held that the tenure of the local government officials had already expired in October 2025 and dismissed their claims.
The suit also listed several respondents, including the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke Ademola Adeleke, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Osun State Attorney General, and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Osun State Independent Electoral Commission.
After the ruling, counsel to the removed officials said an appeal has already been filed at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, challenging the decision.
He also stated that a request has been made to stop any action that could disrupt the work of the affected chairmen and councillors while the appeal is ongoing.
Reacting to the judgment, the Osun State Governor said the court decision supports the constitutional position on tenure and added that the officials have no legal basis to remain in office beyond the stated period.
He also directed that police protection being given to the affected council leaders should be withdrawn.
The state government also insisted that the February 2025 local government elections conducted by the state electoral body remain valid under the law, while the opposition party argued that the judgment affects the legitimacy of that election.
The legal team for the removed officials maintained that the ruling does not settle all issues, pointing out that the appeal will address whether the lower court properly handled the case brought before it.
