The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has called on the Federal Government to immediately release local government allocations withheld from the state, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling affirming the sack of local government chairmen installed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appellate court sitting in Akure, in a judgment delivered last Friday and made public this week, upheld the earlier removal of the APC-backed chairmen, effectively ending their claims to the offices. The PDP described the ruling as a “clear legal confirmation” that the dismissed officials had no mandate to remain in office.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the party welcomed the judgment as a final rejection of what it called a “fake narrative” promoted by the APC. It urged the Federal Government to unblock the funds, noting that there is now no basis for continued withholding of statutory allocations meant for local governments in the state.
“The court’s ruling has put to rest all legal arguments. The delay in releasing the allocations is now indefensible and only harms grassroots governance,” the statement said.
The PDP also accused the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, of engaging in political interference, alleging that his actions in Osun's local government crisis were driven by “personal vendetta.” The party appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the AGF to order.
The party further urged local government workers, under the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), to reconsider their ongoing industrial action. It expressed confidence that Governor Ademola Adeleke would soon announce a formal resumption date for all duly elected PDP officials.
Commending the public for its patience throughout the impasse, the PDP said Osun State is on the verge of restoring full democratic governance at the grassroots.
“This judgment marks the end of an era of impunity and a return to democratic order in our local governments,” the party said.
