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JUST IN: ‘Provide Clarity On This’ – Osun Govt Responds To FG’s Call To Suspend LG Elections

Published

1 month ago

Feb 21, 2025.

Osun Govt Responds To FG’s Call To Suspend LG Elections.
Officials argue the court ruling removing ex-chairmen remains legally binding.
The state urges AGF to clarify his stance on legal precedents.

The Osun State Government has reacted to the call by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Fagbemi had urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to halt the election process, citing legal concerns that have fueled tensions between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He argued that a court ruling had nullified the order Adeleke relied on to sack the previously elected local government chairmen.

However, in a late Thursday statement, Osun State’s Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Nurudeen Kareem, insisted that the judgment removing the former chairmen remains valid and binding until overturned by a higher court. He referenced the Supreme Court ruling in WADA v. BELLO (2016), which mandates that all courts must adhere to existing judgments unless set aside by a superior court.

Kareem further emphasized that the Federal High Court’s ruling in FHC/OS/CS/103/2022, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal on January 13, 2025, remains in effect. He urged the AGF to clarify his stance in light of these legal precedents.

Osun Govt LG Elections

He stated: “While we respect the AGF’s position, we believe the ruling from the Federal High Court on November 30, 2022, is still binding. Given the significance of this matter, we urge the AGF to provide clarity for the people of Osun and the broader Nigerian public.”