Osun APC Withdraws from Local Government Election Amid Political Crisis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has pulled out of the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

In a letter dated February 17 and signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, the party informed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) of its decision. The letter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo, cited the recent Court of Appeal ruling as the reason for the withdrawal.

The February 10 judgment by the Court of Appeal reinstated APC’s previously sacked local government chairmen and councillors, prompting fresh tensions between APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the PDP argues that the ruling did not restore the APC officials to their positions, the APC insists they should reclaim their offices.

The letter read: “Recall that judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on Feb. 10 by Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and 3 others v. the Peoples Democratic Party and others.

“By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the Appeal Court.

“The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment as cited above is that the seats are no longer vacant.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby state that APC and all its candidates have by this letter informed the commission that we withdraw from the local government election scheduled for Feb. 22.

“Same as it becomes unnecessary, superfluous and unlawful with the development.”

Tensions boiled over on Monday when both parties clashed over control of local government secretariats across the state. The police confirmed that six people were killed and several others injured in the violence.

With the APC now stepping away from the election, the political atmosphere in Osun remains tense, as both parties continue to contest the interpretation of the court ruling.