The Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its withdrawal from the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22. This decision was formalized in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission.
In a copy of the letter obtained by THE NATION DIGEST in Osogbo, the APC cited a February 10 Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated its chairmen and councillors as the primary reason for its withdrawal. The letter explained that the judgment nullified a previous Federal High Court ruling and allowed the elected officials to resume their positions.
“Recall that the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on February 10 by the Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and three others v. People’s Democratic Party and others,” the letter stated. It further pointed out that, as a result of the ruling, the seats are no longer vacant.
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In light of this development, the APC declared that participation in the local government elections had become “unnecessary, superfluous, and unlawful” and officially communicated its withdrawal to the electoral commission.
The response from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been one of contention, asserting that the February 10 ruling did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors from the 2022 elections, while the APC maintains its position regarding the return of its elected officials.
The political landscape in the state has been tense, especially following violent clashes on Monday, where both parties laid claim to local government secretariats. Authorities reported that six individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries during the unrest.
