APM pulls out of Osun ‘illegal’ council poll

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has withdrawn from Osun State's local government election scheduled for February 22, 2025. It stated that following the Appeal Court's decision, holding the poll is unlawful and offensive. The Court of Appeal reinstated council chairmen elected in 2022 at the end of Adegboyega Oyetola's administration, the Nation noted on Monday.

However, Governor Ademola Adeleke sacked them following the pronouncement of the Federal High Court that the poll was illegal. 

 On Friday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared that it would boycott the election because the chairmanship of 30 councils are not vacant by the verdict of the Court of Appeal. 

Osun APM’s chairman, Hon Adewale Adebayo, on Saturday declared the party and it’s members will not participate in the election

Adebayo in a statement noted that it is illegal to participate in the election after the Court of Appeal declared the local government seats are not vacant. 

According to him: “In light of the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal on February 10th, which reinstated the sacked local government chairmen and councillors, APM has made the resolute decision to boycott the upcoming local government elections. 

“We assert that any election taking place after this Court of Appeal verdict is illegal and fundamentally undermines the democratic process.”

The reinstatement of the previously removed local government officials raises serious concerns regarding the legitimacy and integrity of any elections conducted thereafter.”

He admonished the government to heed the Court of Appeal’s ruling and avoid any action that could lead to civil unrest or anarchy. 

He argued:  “Local government is the closest service unit to the people, and it must operate within a framework of integrity that respects the rule of law.”

He warned: “The government must stop undermining local governance and allow for a legitimate process that truly reflects the will of the people. 

“Our decision to boycott the February 22nd elections is made in the spirit of defending democracy and advocating for the rights of the citizens of Osun State.”